Analysis
As of May 1, 2023, tobacco products must appear in standardized or "plain" packaging.
Combined (pictorial and text) health warnings must occupy 65% of the surfaces on which they are printed, and appear at the top edge of front and back surfaces of the packages.
The combined health warnings are grouped into three sets of 14 warnings each, as set out in Annex II of the Tobacco Products Directive, and each set must be rotated on an annual basis.
In addition to the combined health warnings, packaging must display a general health warning ‘Smoking kills’ on 50% of one lateral side, as well as a qualitative constituent and emission message ‘Tobacco smoke contains over 70 substances known to cause cancer’ on 50% of the other lateral side. Packaging must also carry the following quitline text: "Support for cessation: www.lopetan.fi."
General warnings and the information message must be printed in black on white background in a font which ensures that the text occupies the center and the greatest possible proportion of the surface reserved for it.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 and aligns with the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to size, location, and rotation of health warnings on packages on smoked tobacco products.
