Analysis
“Companies” and “specified distributors” are required to choose and display one or more phrases from two different groups of four designated health warnings (eight approved warnings in total). All eight approved warnings are about smoking. None of the warnings specifically addresses the risks associated with smokeless products.
Where a company or specified distributor chooses to display two or more phrases from the two different groups of four designated health warnings, the same warning must not be displayed twice.
Health warnings must also be displayed equally over a calendar year among different types of tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, shredded tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff tobacco) and different types of packaging (packs, cartons and inserts).
For packaging where it is difficult to distinguish the main surfaces or where it would be difficult to display the designated warnings, the Ministry of Finance is authorized to decide on the requirements for displaying health warnings. Also, the Ministry of Finance can authorize different phrases and the manner in which they are displayed on packages of cigars, pipe tobacco, cut tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff tobacco, and manufactured tobacco substitutes.
To align with the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the Minister should issue regulations requiring that health warnings cover at least 50% or more of each principal display area, with pictures and accompanying text. The Minister should also issue warnings that are specific to smokeless tobacco products.
