Last updated: May 15, 2020

Health Warnings/Messages Features

Type of product: Smoked Tobacco Products
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
Text Warnings/Messages
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
50% of Front, 50% of Back
Rotation
Not Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
Length of Rotation Period
Unspecified
Analysis

The law requires that all tobacco product packages display “at least two un-obscured health warning labels or health messages covering 50% of the principal display or total surface area and both located on the lower portion of the pack or package directly underneath the cellophane or other clear wrappmg” [sic]. The word "warning" must also appear in capital letters and “all text shall be large, clear, visible and legible, unless the text of the label statement would occupy more than 70% of such area, in which case the text may be of a smaller but conspicuous type size provided that at least 60% of such area is occupied by the required text.” Text must be “black on white background or vice versa in a manner that contrasts by typography, layout or colour with all other printed material on the package.”

The law does not require rotation of messages. Because the contents of the warnings have not yet been prescribed, it is unclear how many different messages are to appear at one time. The law permits the Minister of Health to require that the warnings be in the form of pictures or pictograms and prescribe required pictures or pictograms.

To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law or future regulations should specify rotation of the health messages. Ideally, the Minister of Health would also require pictorial or graphic warnings and update or revise the set of health warnings within a set time period, ideally every 12 to 36 months.

Type of product: Smokeless Tobacco Products
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
Text Warnings/Messages
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
50% of Front, 50% of Back
Rotation
Not Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
Length of Rotation Period
Unspecified
Analysis

The law requires that all tobacco product packages display “at least two un-obscured health warning labels or health messages covering 50% of the principal display or total surface area and both located on the lower portion of the pack or package directly underneath the cellophane or other clear wrappmg” [sic]. The word "warning" must also appear in capital letters and “all text shall be large, clear, visible and legible, unless the text of the label statement would occupy more than 70% of such area, in which case the text may be of a smaller but conspicuous type size provided that at least 60% of such area is occupied by the required text.” Text must be “black on white background or vice versa in a manner that contrasts by typography, layout or colour with all other printed material on the package.”

The law does not require rotation of messages. Because the contents of the warnings have not yet been prescribed, it is unclear how many different messages are to appear at one time. The law permits the Minister of Health to require that the warnings be in the form of pictures or pictograms and prescribe required pictures or pictograms.

To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law or future regulations should specify rotation of the health messages. Ideally, the Minister of Health would also require pictorial or graphic warnings and update or revise the set of health warnings within a set time period, ideally every 12 to 36 months.