Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Health warnings required on unit packaging (e.g., packs)
Warnings are required on all tobacco product unit packet and outside packaging.
This meets the FCTC Art. 11 requirements.
Health warnings required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
Warnings are required on all tobacco product outside packaging.
This meets the FCTC Art. 11 requirements.
Health warning text must be in the principal language(s) of the country
Warning texts must be in the official languages. The administrative instruction specifically requires the warnings text to appear in Albanian and Serbian.
This meets the FCTC Art. 11 requirements.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
The printed text warnings must be indelible and printed so they cannot be removed without damaging the text, and must not in any way be hidden with other printing on the packaging unit or removed or damaged during the opening of the package.
This aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
The health warnings on unit packs and outside packaging must be irremovably printed, indelible, and fully visible, including not being partially or totally hidden or interrupted by tax stamps, price marks, etc. On tobacco products other than cigarettes, HTPs, and roll-your-own tobacco in pouches, the warnings may be affixed by means of stickers, provided the stickers are irremovable.
This aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines.
Requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law requires the following qualitative constituents and emissions message on tobacco products for smoking: “Tobacco smoke contains over 70 substances known to cause cancer.” The message must cover 65% of one lateral side and be in in both Albanian and Serbian.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines respect to requiring qualitative constituents and emissions messages on smoked tobacco product packaging. However, to align more fully, the law should affirmatively require and specify statements containing constituents and emissions information to appear on all tobacco product packaging.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields
The law requires quantitative constituents and emissions yield figures, which are misleading. The law prohibits misleading terms or other signs on packaging, specifically including emissions information. However, this provision seems to conflict with the requirement that emissions information be printed on the packaging. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should clearly prohibit any quantitative constituents and emissions yield figures.
Requirement for plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required in Kosovo. The FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines provide that Parties should consider adopting plain packaging measures that restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colors, brand images, or other promotional information on packaging other than brand and product names displayed in a standard color and font style. Plain packaging aims to reduce the appeal of tobacco products, to increase the noticeability of health warnings, and to reduce the ability of the packaging of tobacco products to mislead consumers about the harmful effects of smoking.
Prohibition on misleading packaging and labeling
The law prohibits the design or appearance of tobacco product packaging from containing inadequate or manipulative data, and prohibits packaging that creates a wrong impression regarding the characteristics of the product, impacts to health, risks, or emission of tobacco products. This includes any term, descriptor, sign, figure, color, or any other sign that directly or indirectly causes the impression that a certain tobacco product is less harmful than others. This includes terms that may confuse consumers like “soft,” “light,” “extra light,” or “ultra.”
The law meets the requirements of FCTC Art. 11 with regard to misleading descriptors.
