Last updated: March 7, 2025

Health Warnings/Messages Features

Type of product: Smoked Tobacco Products
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
Pictures (Photos), Text Warnings/Messages
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
50% of Front, 50% of Back, 100% of Side(s)
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed on Front / Back at Any Given Time
1
Length of Rotation Period
Specified - two years
Analysis

Combined picture and text health warnings must cover 50% of the front and back of the tobacco product package. Currently, three health warnings have been prescribed, with one warning to appear at a time for a period of up to 24 months.

The law requires descriptive only information on constituents and emissions on 100 percent of the lateral side of cigarette packaging.  There are varying placement requirements for other types of tobacco products.

For cigarette cartons, text-only warnings are required to cover 50% of the front and back surfaces.

Beginning in June 2024, picture health warnings must be displayed on 60% of the front and back of packages.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to requiring warnings that occupy at least 50% of principal display areas and that contain both pictures and text.

Type of product: Smokeless Tobacco Products
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
Pictures (Photos), Text Warnings/Messages
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
50% of Front, 50% of Back, Other
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed on Front / Back at Any Given Time
1
Length of Rotation Period
Specified - two years
Analysis

Combined picture and text health warnings must cover 50% of the principal display area of a tobacco product package.

Beginning in June 2024, picture health warnings must be displayed on 60% of the principal display area of a tobacco product package.

The law requires descriptive only information on constituents and emissions on tobacco product packaging with varying placement requirements.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to requiring warnings that occupy at least 50% of principal display areas and that contain both pictures and text. To more fully align, the law should require warnings specific to smokeless tobacco products.