Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
25% of Front, Side(s)
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
6
Length of Rotation Period
Unspecified
n/a
Analysis
One of five text health warnings must occupy 25% of the front surface of the pack, and be placed on the lower portion of the front surface. The warnings must be written in 12-point upper case Arial black font. The five text health warnings must rotate so as to appear equally. The law does not specify how frequently the Ministry of Health or other responsible agency must update the set of health warnings. The current set of five health warnings has been in effect since 2001.
On the side of the pack, the warning “Use of this product causes serious health damage” must be printed in clear visible font. The size of the warning is not specified.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require warnings that cover at least 30% of both principal display areas (front and back package). Preferably, the warnings would cover 50% of the principal display areas and contain pictorial or graphic warnings. In addition, the law should mandate that the Ministry of Health or other responsible agency update or revise the set of health warnings within a set time period, preferably every 12 to 36 months.
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
25% of Front, Side(s)
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
6
Length of Rotation Period
Unspecified
n/a
Analysis
One of five text health warnings must occupy 25% of the front surface of the pack, and be placed on the lower portion of the front surface. The warnings must be written in 12-point upper case Arial black font. The five text health warnings must rotate so as to appear equally. The law does not specify how frequently the Ministry of Health or other responsible agency must update the set of health warnings. The current set of five health warnings has been in effect since 2001.
On the side of the pack, the warning “Use of this product causes serious health damage” must be printed in clear visible font. The size of the warning is not specified.
The law requires health warnings on all tobacco products. However, the content of several of the warnings is specific to smoked tobacco products (e.g., “Smoking tobacco causes cancer”).
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require warnings that cover at least 30% of both principal display areas (front and back package). Preferably, the warnings would cover 50% of the principal display areas and contain pictorial or graphic warnings. The law should also provide health warnings that are specific to smokeless tobacco products. In addition, the law should mandate that the Ministry of Health or other responsible agency update or revise the set of health warnings within a set time period, preferably every 12 to 36 months.
