Last updated: July 29, 2022
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
Central Executive Health Agency
Cigarette contents are not currently regulated. As of July 11, 2023, when amendments to Law No. 2988-IV come into effect, the contents and ingredients of cigarettes will be regulated.
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
Central Executive Health Agency
Currently, the law prohibits the production and import of cigarettes in which emissions exceed 1.2 mg of nicotine and 12 mg of tar.
As of July 11, 2023, the maximum level of cigarettes emissions will be: 1 mg of nicotine, 10 mg of tar, 10 mg of carbon monoxide.
Sugars and sweeteners
Examples of sugars and sweeteners include: glucose, molasses, honey and sorbitol.
Currently, the use of sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes is allowed.
As of July 11, 2023, when amendments to Law No. 2899-IV come into effect, the manufacture, import and sale of “cigarettes with a characteristic smell or taste” will be prohibited. Therefore, cigarettes with added sugars and sweeteners that impart a characteristics smell or taste will be banned.
As of July 11, 2023, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.
Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)
Currently, the use of menthol, mint, and spearmint in cigarettes is allowed. As of July 11, 2023, when amendments to Law No. 2899-IV come into effect, the manufacture, import and sale of “cigarettes with a characteristic smell or taste” will be prohibited. Therefore, cigarettes with menthol, mint or spearmint will be banned.
As of July 11, 2023, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as menthol, mint and spearmint.
Spices and herbs (excluding mint)
Examples include: cinnamon and ginger.
Currently, the use of spices and herbs in cigarettes is allowed. As of July 11, 2023, when amendments to Law No. 2899-IV come into effect, the manufacture, import and sale of “cigarettes with a characteristic smell or taste” will be prohibited. Therefore, cigarettes with spices and herbs will be banned.
As of July 11, 2023, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as spices and herbs.
Other flavorings (not covered above)
Includes fruit flavorings. Examples of flavoring substances include benzaldehyde, maltol and vanillin.
Currently, the use of flavorings in cigarettes is allowed. As of July 11, 2023, when amendments to Law No. 2899-IV come into effect, the manufacture, import and sale of “cigarettes with a characteristic smell or taste” will be prohibited. Therefore, cigarettes with flavorings will be banned.
As of July 11, 2023, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such flavorings.
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
Currently, such additives are allowed. As of July 11, 2023, when amendments to Law No. 2899-IV come into effect, the manufacture, import and sale of tobacco products containing additives that facilitate the inhalation of smoke or the absorption of nicotine will be prohibited.
As of July 11, 2023, the law will align with FCTC Arts. 5.2 and 9 in that it will regulate ingredients in cigarettes that facilitate nicotine uptake, such as ammonia.
Ingredients which may create an impression of health benefits
Examples include: vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, fruit and vegetables (and products resulting from their processing such as fruit juices), amino acids, such as cysteine and tryptophan, and essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6.
Currently, such additives are allowed. As of July 11, 2023, when amendments to Law No. 2899-IV come into effect, the manufacture, import and sale of tobacco products containing “vitamins or other additives that give the impression that a tobacco product has health benefits or reduces health risks or poses a lower health risk” will be prohibited.
As of July 11, 2023, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that the law will prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes that may create an impression of health benefits.
Ingredients associated with energy and vitality
Examples include: caffeine, guarana, taurine and glucuronolactone.
Currently, such additives are allowed. As of July 11, 2023, when amendments to Law No. 2899-IV come into effect, the manufacture, import and sale of tobacco products containing “caffeine, taurine or other additives and stimulants associated with energy and/or vitality” will be prohibited.
As of July 11, 2023, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that the law will prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality.
Additives that have the ability to make emissions colored
Currently, such additives are allowed. As of July 11, 2023, when amendments to Law No. 2899-IV come into effect, the manufacture, import and sale of tobacco products containing “additives that have the ability to make emissions colored” will be prohibited.
Additives having carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxic properties in unburned form
Currently, such additives are allowed. As of July 11, 2023, when amendments to Law No. 2899-IV come into effect, the manufacture, import and sale of tobacco products containing “additives having carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive toxic properties in unburned form” will be prohibited.
