Last updated: September 17, 2019
Warnings/Messages Content
Warnings and corresponding explanatory messages for cigarettes and other smoked tobacco product packaging not addressed elsewhere:
Note: The Competition and Consumer (Tobacco) Information Standard 2011 includes two sets of seven warnings for cigarette and other smoked tobacco product packaging. Only a few warnings are excerpted here as examples. In addition, the Competition and Consumer (Tobacco) Amendment Information Standard 2012 (No. 1) replaces one of the images in the second set of warnings.
1(a). SMOKING HARMS UNBORN BABIES (warning)
1(b). Smoking during pregnancy reduces blood flow in the placenta and limits the oxygen and nutrients that reach the growing baby. Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, problems during the birth or the baby having a smaller brain and body. (explanatory statement)
1(c). WARNING: Tobacco smoke contains a toxic mix of chemicals that cause disease and early death in children and non-smoking adults exposed to the smoke. (information message)
1(d). Image: Premature infant hooked up to a ventilator
2(a). SMOKING CAUSES BLINDNESS (warning)
2(b). Smoking damages your eyes causing blindness. (explanatory statement)
2(c). WARNING: The toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke can go everywhere that your blood flows, causing harm all over your body.
2(d). Image: Close-up picture of an eyeball
Warnings and corresponding explanatory messages for cigars (not in cigar tubes):
Note: The Competition and Consumer (Tobacco) Information Standard 2011 contains five warnings for the retail packaging of cigars. Only a few warnings are excerpted here as examples.
1(a). CIGAR SMOKING CAUSES MOUTH CANCER (warning)
1(b). Cigar smoking causes cancers of the tongue, lip and other parts of your mouth. You can get these cancers without inhaling. Treatment can include surgery that may deform your face and neck or leave permanent scars. (explanatory statement)
1(c). Image: Tongue cancer
2(a). CIGAR SMOKING CAUSES LUNG CANCER (warning)
2(b). Cigar smoking causes lung cancer, whether you inhale or not. Most people who get lung cancer die from it. (explanatory statement)
2(c). Image: Lung cancer
Warning statements for cigar tubes:
1. CIGAR SMOKING CAUSES MOUTH CANCER
2. CIGAR SMOKING CAUSES LUNG CANCER
3. CIGAR SMOKING IS NOT A SAFE ALTERNATIVE
4. CIGAR SMOKING CAUSES THROAT CANCER
5. CIGAR SMOKING DAMAGES YOUR TEETH AND GUMS
Warning statements on retail packaging for bidis:
1. BIDI SMOKING CAUSES MOUTH AND THROAT CANCER
2. BIDI SMOKING CAUSES LUNG CANCER
3. BIDIS ARE NOT A SAFE ALTERNATIVE
4. BIDI SMOKING CAUSES EMPHYSEMA
5. BIDI SMOKING KILLS
Warning statements on retail packaging for smokeless tobacco:
1. THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS CANCER CAUSING AGENTS
2. THIS PRODUCT MAY BE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH
