Last updated: December 8, 2022
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
Ministry of Health and Care Services
The Act establishes that the Ministry may issue regulations on the contents of tobacco products and tobacco substitutes, including the prohibition of certain types of additives and maximum limits for certain contents.
In addition, the Act prohibits cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco with a “characteristic flavoring.” However, this provision is not yet in effect, with the effective date to be determined by the King.
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
Ministry of Health and Care Services
The Act establishes that the Ministry may issue regulations on maximum of emissions and control of emissions measurements.
In this regard, Regulations No. 141 establishes that the smoke of cigarettes imported and sold in the country shall contain no more than 10 mg of tar, 1 mg of nicotine, and 10 mg of carbon monoxide per cigarette.
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 Act prohibits cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco with a “characteristic flavoring,” which is defined as those with discernible odor or flavor other than tobacco, as a result of an additive or a combination of additives, such as fruit, spices, herbs, alcohol, candy, menthol or vanilla, and that is noticeable before or during consumption of the goods. However, this provision is not yet in effect, with the effective date to be determined by the King. Therefore, the use of sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes is currently allowed.
Once this provision is in effect, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.
Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)
The Act prohibits cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco with a “characteristic flavoring,” which is defined as those with discernible odor or flavor other than tobacco, as a result of an additive or a combination of additives, such as fruit, spices, herbs, alcohol, candy, menthol or vanilla, and that is noticeable before or during consumption of the goods. However, this provision is not yet in effect, with the effective date to be determined by the King. Therefore, the use of menthol, mint, and spearmint in cigarettes is currently allowed.
Once this provision is in effect, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as menthol, mint, or spearmint in cigarettes.
Spices and herbs (excluding mint)
Examples include: cinnamon and ginger.
The Act prohibits cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco with a “characteristic flavoring,” which is defined as those with discernible odor or flavor other than tobacco, as a result of an additive or a combination of additives, such as fruit, spices, herbs, alcohol, candy, menthol or vanilla, and that is noticeable before or during consumption of the goods. However, this provision is not yet in effect, with the effective date to be determined by the King. Therefore, the use of spices and herbs in cigarettes is currently allowed.
Once this provision is in effect, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate 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 Act prohibits cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco with a “characteristic flavoring,” which is defined as those with discernible odor or flavor other than tobacco, as a result of an additive or a combination of additives, such as fruit, spices, herbs, alcohol, candy, menthol or vanilla, and that is noticeable before or during consumption of the goods. However, this provision is not yet in effect, with the effective date to be determined by the King. Therefore, the use of other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes is currently allowed.
Once this provision in effect, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes.
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
The law authorizes the Ministry of Health to issue regulations on contents and ingredients; 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 law authorizes the Ministry of Health to issue regulations on contents and ingredients; 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 law authorizes the issuance of regulations of contents and ingredients; 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 or regulations should prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality.
