On tobacco product packages that are flip-top, soft pack, pouch, cylindrical, hexagonal, or octagonal - a warning message must occupy at least 30% of the largest or front surface of the pack, and an explanatory message must occupy at least 30% of the opposite side of the pack. On pouches, the warning message must be placed on the largest surface not overlapped by the flap, with the explanatory message on the opposite side. The regulations contain instructions for determining which is the largest surface all types of packages.

For all other types of packages, the warning message must occupy at least 15% of the total surface areas of the pack, and the explanatory message must occupy at least 20% of the total surface area of the pack.

For cigarette packages, a qualitative message on constituents and emissions must be place on the side panel, occupying 100% of the side panel of unit packages and 25% of the side panel of cartons.

Packages of cigars generally follow the rules for cigarettes. However, on packages with a hinged lid, the warning message must cover 25% of the lid and base of the package, and the explanatory message must cover 33% of the inside lid.

For packages where the largest face is smaller than 40 square centimeters, the two largest faces must bear the same warning message, and the explanatory message is not required.

Finally, the Minister may approve an application from an importer to import tobacco products that have different messages if the Minister determines that the warnings on the imported products have substantially the same effect as the requirements in the regulations.

To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should require that warnings occupy at least 30% of the two principal display areas of the package for all types of packaging, not just the most common types. In addition, to align fully with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require warnings be composed of pictures and text and require the warnings to appear on at least 50% of each principal display area. Finally, the law should require that the set of warning be updated every 12 to 36 months.
 

On tobacco product packages that are flip-top, soft pack, pouch, cylindrical, hexagonal, or octagonal - a warning message must occupy at least 30% of the largest or front surface of the pack, and an explanatory message must occupy at least 30% of the opposite side of the pack. On pouches, the warning message must be placed on the largest surface not overlapped by the flap, with the explanatory message on the opposite side. The regulations contain instructions for determining which is the largest surface all types of packages.

For all other types of packages, the warning message must occupy at least 15% of the total surface areas of the pack, and the explanatory message must occupy at least 20% of the total surface area of the pack.

For packages where the largest face is smaller than 40 square centimeters, the two largest faces must bear the same warning message, and the explanatory message is not required.

Finally, the Minister may approve an application from an importer to import tobacco products that have different messages if the Minister determines that the warnings on the imported products have substantially the same effect as the requirements in the regulations.

To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should require that warnings occupy at least 30% of the two principal display areas of the package for all types of packaging, not just the most common types. In addition, to align fully with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require warnings be composed of pictures and text and require the warnings to appear on at least 50% of each principal display area. Finally, the law should provide health warnings that are specific to smokeless tobacco products and require that the set of warning be updated every 12 to 36 months.