All countries that have ratified the FCTC (i.e., “Parties”), are required to implement packaging and labelling measures under FCTC Article.
| FCTC Article 11Each Party shall, within a period of three years after entry into force of this Convention for that Party, adopt and implement, in accordance with its national law, effective measures to ensure that:….Each unit packet and package of tobacco products and any outside packaging and labelling of such products also carry health warnings describing the harmful effects of tobacco use, and may include other appropriate messages. These warnings and messages: (i) shall be approved by the competent national authority; (ii) shall be rotating; (iii) shall be large, clear, visible and legible; (iv) should be 50% or more of the principal display areas but shall be no less than 30% of the principal display areas; (v) may be in the form of or include pictures or pictograms. |
In addition, Article 11 Guidelines were developed and adopted to provide additional guidance on implementing health warnings (http://apps.who.int/gb/fctc/PDF/cop3/FCTC_COP3_7-en.pdf). While Parties are not required to implement the recommendations included in the Guidelines, the Guidelines are based on international best practice and intended to assist countries seeking to develop effective health warnings. These recommendations have been integrated in the following sections.
Laws and Regulations
FCTC Article 11 Guidelines
WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 11
WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control