Last updated: February 2, 2026
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Health warnings required on unit packaging (e.g., packs)
The law requires health warnings on unit packaging of tobacco products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in that it requires health warnings on all unit packaging of tobacco products.
Health warnings required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires health warnings on “cartons” of tobacco products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in that it requires health warnings on all outside packaging of tobacco products.
Health warning text must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law requires that the text portion of the health warning be printed in the Lao language.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning text being in the principal language of the country.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
The law contains a requirement that health warnings be printed clearly and displayed prominently to be highly visible for tobacco user recognition. However, the law does not explicitly state that warnings may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Uncertain" is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require that warnings or messages not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
The law contains a requirement that health warnings be printed clearly and displayed prominently to be highly visible for tobacco user recognition. However, the law does not explicitly state that tax stamps or other markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Uncertain" is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require that tax stamps or other required markings not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages.
Requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law requires one of 10 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.
Because there would be some packages without a descriptive statement on constituents and emissions, the law is not interpreted as requiring this type of message.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, 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
Decree No. 1090 requires plain packaging and sets out combined pictorial/ text warnings and qualitative warnings. The Decree prohibits “decorations; text, images, pictures, symbols, signs, trademarks, decorative designs, logos, patterns, labels [and] other elements,” other than the warnings and labels required by law. The law does not require the display of emission yields; therefore, the law is interpreted as prohibiting the display of figures for emission yields.
Requirement for plain or standardized packaging
The law sets out requirements for plain packaging. It sets out for packs and cartons: the standard size; outer color (“a dark solid greenish-brown and non-shiny color using Pantone Opaque Couche – Pantone 448 C”); the font type, font size, text color, and placement of the brand name or brand variant, as well as background color on which it is printed; the font type, font size, text color, and placement of the manufacturer or importer name, as well as background color on which it is printed; and the color (white or silver) of the interior packaging material, among other things. No other decorations, text, images, pictures, symbols, signs, trademarks, decorative designs, logos, patterns, labels or other elements are allowed. The appearance of cigarette sticks, packs and cartons may not be altered by heat or time, and may not produce any smells, tastes, lights, colors, or sounds.
Prohibition on misleading packaging and labeling
Ministry of Health Agreement No. 1067 prohibits "any statements upon tobacco packaging materials that may cause consumers to misunderstand the characteristics and effects of tobacco on human health, such as: Mild, Medium, Light, Ultra-Light, Ultra-Mild, or Low Tar. Any statements or symbols that might be misunderstood in a similar way are also forbidden, such as: Menthol, Fruit, [one word unknown], etc." In addition, the Law on Tobacco Control prohibits the tobacco industry from "mislead[ing] tobacco users on characteristics of tobacco products, such as trademarks, forms, colors or other logos." Therefore, all misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling is prohibited.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to a prohibition on misleading packaging and labeling.
