Last updated: June 1, 2020
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
None
Decree No. 61-77 generally prohibits tobacco product manufacturers from adding substances that are harmful to health to their products. The law however fails to identify which harmful substances are prohibited. Subsequent legislation, Ministerial Agreement No. 731-2002, authorizes the Tobacco Control Commission to regulate the content of tobacco products, but regulations have not yet been issued. As there has been no designation of harmful substances either as a result of Decree No. 61-77 or Ministerial Agreement No. 731-2002, the status “Not Regulated” is given.
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
None
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 Ministerial Agreement No. 731-2002 authorizes the issuance of regulations regarding the contents of tobacco products; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use of sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations 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 Ministerial Agreement No. 731-2002 authorizes the issuance of regulations regarding the contents of tobacco products; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use menthol, mint, or spearmint in cigarettes is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations 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 Ministerial Agreement No. 731-2002 authorizes the issuance of regulations regarding the contents of tobacco products; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use of spices and herbs (excluding mint) in cigarettes is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations 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 Ministerial Agreement No. 731-2002 authorizes the issuance of regulations regarding the contents of tobacco products; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use of other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes.
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
The Ministerial Agreement No. 731-2002 authorizes the issuance of regulations regarding the contents of tobacco products; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use of ingredients in cigarettes that facilitate nicotine uptake is allowed.
To further FCTC Arts. 5.2 and 9, the law or regulations 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 Ministerial Agreement No. 731-2002 authorizes the issuance of regulations regarding the contents of tobacco products; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use of ingredients in cigarettes that may create an impression of health benefits is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations should prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes that may create an impression of health benefits.
Ingredients associated with energy and vitality
Examples include: caffeine, guarana, taurine and glucuronolactone.
The Ministerial Agreement No. 731-2002 authorizes the issuance of regulations regarding the contents of tobacco products; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality.
