Lao PDR

One of ten authorized text and picture warnings must occupy 75% of the front and back of cigarette packaging. Manufacturers must print the ten warnings in rotation, changing the warning at intervals of 5,000 packs or 500 cartons. The set of ten warnings must be “periodically changed based on internal, regional, and international studies and conditions.”

The law requires one of ten pairs of authorized messages to occupy 75% of two side panels of tobacco product packages. Each pair contains two different messages, some of which are qualitative constituents and emissions messages. Each of the two side panels must display a different message from the pair. The pairs must be rotated every 5,000 packs or 500 cartons.

The law meets FCTC Art. 11 and aligns with the FTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the size, content, placement, and rotation of health warnings on smoked tobacco product packaging.

Articles 24 and 25 of the Law on Tobacco Control require pictorial health warnings and labels on the front and back of each package of "tobacco products." However, Decree No. 1090, which implements the Law on Tobacco Control, specifies the size and placement of health warnings and labels on "each cigarette packet" and "carton". In addition, the warnings authorized by Decree No. 1090 are relevant to smoking only. Therefore, although the law requires health warnings on smokeless tobacco products, the specifications such as size, rotation, and content are uncertain.

To meet FCTC Art. 11 and align with the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the implementing regulations should specify the requirements of health warnings specific to smokeless tobacco.