Last updated: December 22, 2021

Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements

Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)

Yes
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Analysis

The law requires health warnings on all units of packaging of tobacco and tobacco products, including rolling papers. Therefore, warnings are required on all unit packaging and labeling. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to unit packaging and labeling.

Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)

Yes
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Analysis

The law requires general and specific warnings on all external packaging of tobacco and tobacco products. Therefore, warnings are required on all cartons. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings on outside packaging and labeling.

Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country

Yes
Analysis

The law requires all health warnings to be in French. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings being 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

Yes
Analysis

The law requires that health warnings remain intact upon opening of the unit package. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.

A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages

Yes
Analysis

The law requires that health warnings not be concealed or broken up, partially or completely, by markings intended for identification and traceability, by security devices, by outer wrappings, envelopes, boxes, or any other element. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the requirement that warnings or messages cannot be obscured by tax stamps or other required markings.

A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages

Yes
Analysis

The law requires the following qualitative constituents and emissions message one side of the tobacco product package: “Tobacco smoke contains more than 70 carcinogenic substances.” The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the display of qualitative constituent and emissions messages.

Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)

Yes
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Analysis

The law prohibits “any element or device” that gives “an erroneous impression with regard to the characteristics, health effects, risks or emissions,” which includes “figurative or other signs.” Therefore, the law prohibits the display of figures for emission yields. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.

Plain or standardized packaging

Yes
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Analysis

The Code of Public Health requires the use of “neutral and standardized” packaging on unit and outside packaging of cigarettes, rolling tobacco, cigarette paper, and cigarette rolling papers. The law requires that packaging be Pantone 448 C - a medium brown color. Packaging may not include any element or device that contributes to the promotion of a tobacco product, including any auditory, olfactory, or visual characteristics. Inserts are also prohibited. Cigarette packaging must be made of cardboard or a flexible material in the shape of a polyhedron. Rolling tobacco must in the form of a polyhedron, cylinder, or a pouch. In addition to required health warnings, packaging may contain only the brand name, commercial title, manufacturer information, and number of units or grams of contents. This provision entered into force May 20, 2016. Previously manufactured products could be made available for consumption until November 20, 2016 and sold until January 1, 2017.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to requiring plain packaging.

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)

Yes
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Analysis

The law prohibits on tobacco product packaging “any element or device” that creates “an erroneous impression with regard to the characteristics, health effects, risks or emissions” of the product, including “messages, symbols, names, commercial brands, figurative or other signs.”

The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling.