Analysis
Currently, the law requires one main text warning occupying 50% of the main display area, and one of ten secondary pictorial warnings with accompanying text occupying 50% of the secondary display area. The warnings must be bordered by, at the least, a 3mm black frame, which is part of the 50% warning area. Decree No. 306 contains the ten pictorial warnings and specifies that the pictorial warnings and their accompanying text must each occupy no less than 40% of the area within the black border.
Rotation of the secondary pictorial warnings appearing on the back of packages is required. However, it is not specified whether several pictorial warnings are to appear concurrently or consecutively. The law requires review of the warnings by the Cabinet of Ministers every five years. However, if the warnings are to appear consecutively, the length of a given rotation period during the five-year intervals is unspecified.
Beginning January 11, 2024, one of 14 combined picture/text warnings must occupy 65% of the front and the back of packages. There are three sets of 14 combined picture/text warnings, and each set is to be used for a period of one year. In addition, a general warning (Smoking kills – quit smoking now) and an informational warning (Tobacco smoke contains more than 70 substances that can cause cancer) must cover 50% of the lateral sides of the package.
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. However, the set of health warnings should be reviewed every 12–36 months.
