Last updated: February 24, 2020
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
Ministry of Health
The Tobacco Control Act 2015 prohibits the sale of "flavoured tobacco products." In addition, Sec. 18 prohibits the sale of a tobacco product unless the tobacco product conforms to standards on contents and emissions prescribed by the Minister of Health. In addition to prohibited flavored tobacco products, the Tobacco Control Regulations prohibit other additives and properties.
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
Ministry of Health
The Tobacco Control Act, 2015 prohibits the sale of a tobacco product unless the tobacco product conforms to standards on contents and emissions prescribed by the Minister of Health. However, the Tobacco Control Regulations do not contain further details regarding the regulation of 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 law prohibits the sale of a "flavoured tobacco product." Therefore, the use of sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes is prohibited.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.
Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)
The law prohibits the sale of a "flavoured tobacco product." The definition of “flavoured tobacco product” specifically includes menthol and mint.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as menthol, mint, and spearmint in cigarettes.
Spices and herbs (excluding mint)
Examples include: cinnamon and ginger.
The law prohibits the sale of a "flavoured tobacco product." The definition of “flavoured tobacco product” specifically includes spices and herbs.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates 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 law prohibits the sale of a "flavoured tobacco product."
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes.
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
The law does not explicitly prohibit the use in cigarettes of ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake.
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 prohibits tobacco products that contain additives with properties associated with or likely to be associated with health benefits or reduced health risks, including amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that the law prohibits 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 prohibits tobacco products that contain additives with properties associated with or likely to be associated with energy and vitality, including caffeine and taurine.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that the law prohibits the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality.
Flavor delivering mechanisms, including filter capsules, granules, and threads
In addition to prohibiting flavored tobacco products, the law prohibits tobacco products that have a “flavour delivering mechanism,” including “filter flavour capsules, granules, and flavour threads.”
Technical features that allow the release or modification of smell, taste, or smoke intensity
The law prohibits tobacco products with any technical features that allow the release or modification of the smell, taste, or smoke intensity of the tobacco product.
Coloring properties for emissions
The law prohibits tobacco products that contain coloring properties for emissions.
