Global Overview

Global overview on standardized tobacco packaging implementation

As of October 2021, more than 30 countries and territories are moving forward with standardized packaging, with 21 countries having adopted the measure following Australia’s lead (in 2012), 3* having it in practice and 14 other countries in varying stages of introducing standardized packaging laws. In the ASEAN region, Thailand and Singapore are the first two countries that have legislated standardized packaging. The standardized packaging law has been in force since 10 September 2019 (in Thailand) and 1 July 2020 (in Singapore). Myanmar is the third Asian country to adopt standardized packaging after the passage of standardized packaging notification on 12 October 2021. It will take effect after 180 days (on 10 April 2022) with a 3-month (90 days) full phase-out of old cigarette stocks by July 2022. However, the implementation of standardized packaging is delayed to 1 January 2023 due to strong tobacco industry interference. 

Standardized Packaging in ASEAN

Thailand 10 Sept 2019	Singapore 1 Jul 2020	Myanmar 1 Jan 2023

* Standardized packaging has been implemented in practice in 3 countries where packages are imported from a country with plain packaging – Monaco (from France), Cook Islands (from New Zealand), and Niue (from Australia).  

Summary of implementation dates at manufacturers and retailers level