Last updated: September 17, 2019
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
Contents and ingredients of cigarettes are not regulated at the national level. However, fruit and confectionary flavored cigarettes are banned in all 6 states (New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia) and both territories (Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory).
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
The law does not regulate, nor does it grant any authority to regulate, cigarette emissions.
Sugars and sweeteners (other than those added to replace sugars lost during the curing process)
Examples of sugars and sweeteners include: glucose, molasses, honey and sorbitol.
The retail sale of confectionery flavored cigarettes is banned in all 6 states (New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia) and in both territories (Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory). However, the laws in these states do not specifically ban the use of sugars and sweeteners as additives or ingredients. Because it is possible to add sugars and sweeteners in the manufacturing process without the product being considered confectionery flavored, the regulatory status code "Some Restrictions" is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.
Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)
The use of mint but not menthol is banned in at least one state (Western Australia). The use of menthol is not banned under national law or under any state laws. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Some Restrictions" is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as menthol, mint, or spearmint in cigarettes.
Spices and herbs (excluding mint)
Examples include: cinnamon and ginger.
The use of spices and herbs is not banned under national law or under any state laws. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Allowed" is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as spices and herbs (excluding mint) in cigarettes.
Other flavorings (not covered above)
Includes fruit flavorings. Examples of flavoring substances include benzaldehyde, maltol and vanillin.
The retail sale of fruit-flavored and confectionary-flavored cigarettes is banned in all 6 states (New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia) and in both territories (Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory). The ban includes, for example in Western Australia, "chocolate, vanilla, caramel, coconut or any other flavour (but not a spice) commonly used in the production of confectionery." The state and territory bans are interpreted to include all flavorings (except for menthol and herbs and spices, which are addressed separately in this database).
To more fully align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as flavorings in cigarettes.
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
The use of ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake is not banned under national law or under state and territory laws. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Allowed" is given.
To align with FCTC Arts. 5.2 and 9, the law should regulate ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake, such as ammonia.
Ingredients which may create an impression of health benefits
Examples include: vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, fruit and vegetables (and products resulting from their processing such as fruit juices), amino acids, such as cysteine and tryptophan, and essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6.
The retail sale of fruit-flavored cigarettes is banned in all 6 states (New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia) and in both territories (Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory). However, the laws in these states do not ban the use other types of ingredients that may create an impression of health benefits, such as vitamins and vegetables. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Some Restrictions" is given.
To more fully align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients that may create an impression of health benefits in cigarettes.
Ingredients associated with energy and vitality
Examples include: caffeine, guarana, taurine and glucuronolactone.
The use of ingredients associated with energy and vitality is not banned under national law or under state and territory laws. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Allowed" is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients associated with energy and vitality in cigarettes.
