Last updated: May 15, 2020
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires warnings on all unit packets and packages of tobacco products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning labels on unit packaging.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires warnings on any outside packaging and labeling of tobacco products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning labels on outside packaging.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law requires health warnings on tobacco products to appear in English. While Eritrea has no official language, English is one of the country’s working languages.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning text appearing in the principal language of the country.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
The law does not require that warnings or messages not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should explicitly state that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
The law does not require that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or other messages.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should state that warnings and messages may not be placed where they may be concealed by tax stamps or other required markings.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law requires that all unit packages and any outside packaging and labeling contain “information on relevant constituents and emissions of tobacco products.” However, the law does not specify that this information must be qualitative/descriptive only. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require specify that the information on relevant constituents and emissions shall be descriptive only.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
There is no prohibition for the display of figures for emission yields on tobacco product packaging.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should prohibit the display of figurative yields on tobacco product packaging as contemplated by para. 44 of the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines as these figures can be misleading to consumers.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required. The FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines provide that Parties should consider adopting plain packaging measures that restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colors, brand images, or other promotional information on packaging other than brand and product names displayed in a standard color and font style. Plain packaging aims to reduce the appeal of tobacco products, to increase the noticeability of health warnings, and to reduce the ability of the packaging of tobacco products to mislead consumers about the harmful effects of smoking.
Prohibition on misleading tobacco packaging & labeling including terms, descriptors, trademarks, figurative or other signs (logos, colors, images that directly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products)
The law prohibits the manufacture, sale or import of tobacco products unless the packaging and labeling do not promote the product by any means that are false, misleading, deceptive or likely to create an erroneous impression about its characteristics, health effects, hazards or emissions. This includes descriptions, trademarks and terms such as “low tar,” “light,” “ultra-light” and “mild.”
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to the use of terms, descriptors, or other signs that directly or indirectly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products.
