Last updated: July 27, 2020

Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements

Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)

Yes
Analysis

GSO 246/2011 requires that a health warning occupy 50% of the front and back of the tobacco product "package." "Package" is defined as the individual unit package. Therefore, warnings are required on unit packaging and labeling.

The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.

Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)

No
Analysis

GSO 246/2011 requires that a health warning occupy 50% of the front and back of the tobacco product "package." "Package" is defined as the individual unit package. Therefore, warnings are not required on outside packaging and labeling.

To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should require health warnings on unit and outside packaging and labeling.

Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country

Yes
Analysis

GSO 246/2011 requires that health warnings be printed in Arabic on the front of the package and English on the back of the package.

Therefore, the law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to the warning text being in the principal language(s) 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

Yes
Analysis

GSO 246/2011 requires that warnings be written in such as way that they are not affected by opening the package.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.

A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages

Yes
Analysis

GSO 246/2011 requires that warnings be written in such a way that the text is not hidden or concealed or overlapping with other text or images.

Therefore, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to tax stamps or other required markings not being placed where they may conceal warnings or messages.

A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages

Yes
Analysis

One of the four approved picture warnings includes the message: "Cigarettes contain more than 4000 toxic substances and causes death."

Therefore, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to qualitative constituents and emissions messages. However, because the rotation requirements are not specified, it is unclear when and on which packages this warning is to be used. To more fully align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require a qualitative constituents and emissions message on each tobacco product package.

Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)

No
Analysis

GSO 246/2011 requires that the level of tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide be displayed on cigarette packages and the level of nicotine on other tobacco products.

To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should prohibit the display of figures for levels of tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide as this information can be misleading to consumers.

Plain or standardized packaging

No
Analysis

Currently, plain packaging is not required. Per Ministerial Decision No. 67/2023, Omani Standard Specification OS 1655:2023 requiring plain packaging became binding on September 5, 2023. However, the implementation dates were extended through administrative practice. The implementation dates are now April 4, 2024 for manufacturers and July 4, 2024 for retailers.

Prohibition on misleading tobacco packaging & labeling including terms, descriptors, trademarks, figurative or other signs (logos, colors, images that directly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products)

Yes
Analysis

GSO 246/2011 states that the "product must not be described or shown on a label or in descriptive data in such a way that it could result in a mistaken impression about its attributes or convey the idea that it is less harmful, with the use of such terms as: light, extra light, gentle, low tar, zero nicotine or tar, mild, low, and similar terms." This provision is interpreted as banning all misleading terms and descriptors, including colors, logos, or other signs.

The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling.