Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
75% of Front, 75% of Back, Side(s)
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
6
Length of Rotation Period
Specified
- 50,000 packs (and every two years)
Analysis
Effective September 23, 2016, one of six authorized text and picture warnings must occupy 75% of the front and back of cigarette packaging. Manufacturers must print the six warnings in rotation, changing the warning at intervals of 50,000 packs. The set of six warnings must be updated "every two years or at other intervals based on research."
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.
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
Rotation
Not Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
0
Length of Rotation Period
Unspecified
Analysis
While Arts. 33 and 34 of the Law on Tobacco Control require health warnings and labels on "tobacco products", Art. 20 specifies that only packaging of "cigarettes" shall have warnings and labels. Ministry of Health Agreement No. 1067, which implements the Law on Tobacco Control, specifies the size and placement of health warnings and labels on "cigarette packs" and "cigarette cartons" only. In addition, the warnings authorized by Agreement No. 1067 are relevant to smoking only. Therefore the law appears not to require health warnings on smokeless tobacco products.
The law does not meet FCTC Art. 11 or align with the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines. To meet FCTC Art. 11 or align with the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require health warnings on all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco products, and implementing regulations should provide warnings specific to smokeless tobacco.
