Last updated: December 22, 2021

Health Warnings/Messages Features

Type of product: Smoked Tobacco Products
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
Pictures (Photos), Text Warnings/Messages
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
65% of Front, 65% of Back, Side(s)
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
14
Length of Rotation Period
Specified - one year
Analysis

Standardized (plain) packaging is required for all packs of cigarettes and rolling tobacco.

All smoked tobacco products must carry one of 14 authorized combined text/pictorial health warnings occupying 65% of the front and back of the tobacco product package. The warning must be placed on the upper edge of the package. The health warnings must be framed by a black border with a width of one millimeter. Information on quitting must be placed below the warning.

There are three sets of 14 authorized combined warnings that must be rotated yearly - Set 1 from May 20, 2016 to May 19, 2017, Set 2 from May 20, 2017 to May 19, 2018, and Set 3 from May 20, 2018 to May 19, 2019. Each of the 14 combined warnings must be used equally over the course of the year.

A general warning - “Smoking Kills” - must occupy 50% of one lateral side of the package. An informational message - “Tobacco smoke contains more than 70 carcinogenic substances.” - must occupy 50% of the other lateral side.

The law meets FCTC Art. 11 and aligns with the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the size, content, format, location, and rotation of the warnings and messages.

Type of product: Smokeless Tobacco Products
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
Text Warnings/Messages
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
30% of Front, 30% of Back
Rotation
Not Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
1
Length of Rotation Period
Unspecified
Analysis

The following text warning must occupy 30% of the two largest surfaces of the tobacco product package: "This tobacco product is harmful to your health and causes addiction." The warning must be printed in bold, black Helvetica characters on a white background. The warning must be centered on the surfaces it occupies.

The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to the minimum size for the required health warning. To more fully align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require combined picture and text health warnings that occupy at least 50% of the two largest display areas. The law should authorize multiply warnings to be rotated or displayed equally over a given time period and updated at least every 12 to 36 months.