Analysis
The law requires combined picture and text health warnings on all tobacco product packages. Together, the combined picture and text health warning must occupy 75% of the two main surfaces (front and back). The Ministry of Health is authorized to issue the combined picture/text warnings, and the law requires the Ministry to update the health warnings every twelve months. Because the Ministry has not yet issued the required health warnings, it is uncertain how many warnings are in rotation at one time.
Colors that are not radiant, such as sky blue, black, and yellow, must be used. The pictorial health warnings must be printed on the upper part of the package’s surface, except for packages in which the width is greater than the height, in which case the pictorial health warnings shall be printed on the right side of the surface on each tobacco product. The written health warning must be on each package of tobacco in the Arabic language and consistent with the warning image.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with regard to size, location, and rotation. However, to fully meet FCTC Art. 11 and align with the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the Ministry of Health should issue implementing regulations that contain the pictures and text to be placed on tobacco product packaging.
