Last updated: December 15, 2020
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires that health warnings appear on each unit package and any outside packaging. The regulations meet FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings on unit packaging.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires that health warnings appear on each unit package and any outside packaging. The regulations meet FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings on outside packaging.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The EU Regulations 2016 require health warnings in English and Irish. The warnings are set forth in both languages in Schedule 1. The regulations meet FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
The EU Regulations 2016 require that warnings remain intact when opening the unit packet of a tobacco product. The regulations align 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
The EU Regulations 2016 require that health warnings not be partially or totally hidden or interrupted by tax stamps, price marks, security features, wrappers, jackets, boxes, or other items. The regulations align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The EU Regulations 2016 require that all smoked tobacco products carry the following information message on constituents and emissions in English and Irish: "Tobacco smoke contains over 70 substances known to cause cancer". The regulations align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to qualitative constituent and emissions messages.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The Standardised Packaging Act of 2015 prohibits printing of the tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide content of a tobacco product on the unit package or any other form of retail packaging. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the display of figures for emission yields on tobacco product packaging.
Plain or standardized packaging
The Standardised Packaging Act of 2015 requires plain packaging for tobacco products. Some provisions of this act came into effect on May 20, 2016, and the remaining provisions entered into force on September 29, 2017. Remaining stock was permitted to be sold for a period of one year (until September 29, 2018), at which point plain packaging was required for all tobacco products.
The law requires that all tobacco product packaging be of a prescribed color with a matt finish; not bear any adhesives, inserts or affixed items; not contain any audio effects, scents, or features designed to alter the retail packaging after retail sale. The package may contain the brand name of the tobacco company, the variant name of the product, and other specified information.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to 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)
The Standardised Packaging Act of 2015 prohibits on tobacco product packaging "information or statements that create an erroneous impression in relation to the characteristics, health effects, hazards or emissions of the tobacco product" and "information or statements that suggest a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products or that it reduces the effect of some of the harmful components of smoke."
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling.
