Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
81% of Front, 81% of Back
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
Uncertain
Length of Rotation Period
Specified
- 24 months
Analysis
The Tobacco Control Act, 2016 requires that tobacco product packaging display combined picture and text health warnings and messages occupying no less than 75% of the principal display areas (front and back) of the product. The health warnings currently in rotation cover 81.5% of the principal display areas.
Health warnings are required to rotate every 24 months. Within a rotation period, each prescribed health warning within a particular set is required to appear on an equal number of packages for each brand within each brand family for each package size and type. However, the number of health warnings within each set is not clear.
While health warnings meeting these requirements were originally going to be required beginning January 6, 2021, the implementation date was delayed to September 6, 2021.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 and aligns with the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the rotation, location, size, and content (pictures and text) of health warnings.
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
Rotation
Not Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
N/A
Length of Rotation Period
Unspecified
- N/A
Analysis
Section 16(2) of the Tobacco Control Act prohibits the import, manufacture, distribution, possession, sale, and offer for sale of smokeless tobacco products.
