Last updated: March 6, 2023
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Health warnings required on unit packaging (e.g., packs)
The law specifically requires health warnings on “packaging units . . . notably packs and cartons.” This provision meets FCTC Art. 11.
Health warnings required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law specifically requires health warnings on “packaging units . . . notably packs and cartons.” This provision meets FCTC Art. 11.
Health warning text must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law and a decree specify the health warnings are required to be in French, Ewe, and Kabye, which include the principal language of Togo. This provision meets FCTC Art. 11.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
A decree prohibits the health warnings from being covered, obscured, or separated by the opening of the pack. This provision aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
A decree prohibits the health warnings from being covered or obscured by any other statements or images including tax stamps and other required information. This provision aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
A decree requires that two quantitative constituents and emissions statements are displayed on the sides of the packaging where the health warnings are not displayed. In French, these statements are as follows: “Cigarette smoke contains benzene, a well-known carcinogen” and “When you smoke, you expose yourself to more than 60 chemical products that can cause cancer.” This provision aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
A decree prohibits the display of quantitative yield information regarding tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide. This provision aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines.
Plain or standardized packaging
Although a decree contains provisions requiring standardized packaging of tobacco products, those requirements are not currently being enforced. The FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines provide that Parties should consider adopting plain packaging measures that restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colors, brand images, or other promotional information on packaging other than brand and product names displayed in a standard color and font style. Plain packaging aims to reduce the appeal of tobacco products, to increase the noticeability of health warnings, and to reduce the ability of the packaging of tobacco products to mislead consumers about the harmful effects of smoking.
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 Tobacco Control Law prohibits the use of “terms such as ‘low in tar,’ ‘light,’ ‘ultralight,’ ‘mild,’ or any other term of a character that would encourage the consumption of tobacco and its derivative products, in any language.” However, the law does not prohibit trademarks or figurative or other signs (e.g., logos, colors, brand images) that directly or indirectly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products. To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should prohibit these types of misleading indicia on all tobacco packaging and labeling.
