Tobacco package warning messages are warning messages that appear on the packaging of cigarettes and other tobacco products concerning their health effects. They have been implemented in an effort to enhance the public's awareness about the harmful effects of smoking. In general, warnings used in different countries try to emphasize the same messages (see below). Such warnings have also been required in tobacco advertising. The earliest mandatory warning labels on cigarette packaging were implemented by the United States in 1966. The first pictogrammes were implemented by Iceland in 1985, the first pictures by Canada in 2001.
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, adopted in 2003, requires such warning messages to promote awareness against smoking.WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Article 9 and 11 Implementing tobacco warning labels has been strongly opposed by the tobacco industry, most notably in Australia, following the implementation of plain packaging laws.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of tobacco warning labels has been studied extensively over the past 50 years, and research shows that they are generally effective in changing smoking attitudes and behaviors. A 2009 science review determined that there is "clear evidence that tobacco package health warnings increase consumers' knowledge about the health consequences of tobacco use". The warning messages "contribute to changing consumers' attitudes towards tobacco use as well as changing consumers' behavior".
Despite the demonstrated benefits of warning labels, the efficacy of fear-based messaging in reducing smoking behaviors has been subject to criticism. A 2007 meta-analysis demonstrated that messages emphasizing the severity of threat may be less effective at changing behaviors than messages focusing on susceptibility to threat. Additionally, the study found that warning labels may not be effective among smokers who are not confident that they can quit, leading the authors to recommend exploring other methods of behavior modification.
In many countries, a variety of warnings with graphic, disturbing images of tobacco-related harms (including hematuria and diabetes) are placed prominently on cigarette packages.
Albania As of 2020, all tobacco products in Albania must have one of the following general warning on the packaging: "Smoking kills - quit now" or "Smoking kills". Additionally, packaging must contain an information message about the product, as follows: "Tobacco contains over 70 substances that cause cancer". The general warning and the information message must occupy 50% of the packaging area of the side on which they are printed. Albania also requires the use of combined warnings that includes the text warning and a colored image, which must cover 65% of the front and back area of the packaging.
Text-based general warning label formerly used on tobacco packages in Albania:
Argentina General warning before 2013:
As of 30 January 2013, Argentina passed a law requiring all cigarette packages must include graphical warning labels that show the detrimental effects on the health of long-term smokers, including COVID-19 (added in 2022).
Australia
On 1 December 2012, Australia introduced ground-breaking legislation and the world's toughest tobacco packaging warning messages to date. All marketing and brand devices were removed from the package and replaced with warnings, only the name of the product remains in generic standard sized text. All tobacco products sold, offered for sale or otherwise supplied in Australia were plain-packaged and labelled with new and expanded health warnings.
Azerbaijan In Azerbaijan, a text-only health warning in the Azeri language, "Smoking harms your health", is required to cover 30% of the front and back of the package. There is no requirement for rotation, and there is only one required health warning.
Bangladesh Bangladesh law requires rotating pictorial health warnings to cover at least 50% of the main display areas of all tobacco products. Misleading terms such as "light" and "low tar" are prohibited on tobacco packaging, but other misleading packaging (e.g., colors, numbers, and symbols) is not banned.
Bolivia Prior to 2020, Bolivia required graphic text and image warnings covering 50% of the pack on the main faces. However, in 2020 Bolivia passed Ley Nº 1280 (Law No. 1280). Ley Nº 1280 requires the display of graphic health warnings, consisting of both images and text, on the front and back (principal surfaces) of all cigarette packs that occupy 60% of each main face, and are located at the top of the face. The text warnings warn the population of the risks of consuming tobacco products, as well as the risk of exposure to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke and environmental risks. The warnings can only be obscured in the case of soft packs that require a support element. There are currently no required warnings on smokeless tobacco products.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina law requires:
Front of packaging (covers 30% of surface): Pušenje je štetno za zdravlje (Smoking is harmful to health) Pušenje ubija (Smoking kills) Pušenje ozbiljno šteti vama i drugima oko vas (Smoking seriously harms you and others around you)
Back of packaging (covers 50% of surface): Pušenje uzrokuje rak pluća (Smoking causes lung cancer) Pušenje uzrokuje srčani udar (Smoking causes heart attacks) Pušenje uzrokuje moždani udar (Smoking causes strokes) Pušenje u trudnoći šteti zdravlju Vašeg djeteta (Smoking while pregnant harms your child)
Before 2011, a small warning with the text Pušenje je štetno za zdravlje (Smoking is harmful to health) was printed on the back of cigarette packets.
Brazil
In 2001, Brazil became the second country in the world and the first country in Latin America to adopt mandatory warning images in cigarette packages. Warnings and graphic images illustrating the risks of smoking occupy 100% of the back of cigarette packs. In 2008, the government enacted a third batch of images aimed at younger smokers. The rule was in force for nine years until 2017, when yet another batch of warnings were introduced. They contain images as equally disturbing as the previous ones but also contain subtle messages such as "Você morre" (You die), "Você sofre" (You suffer) and "Você adoece" (You get sick).
Since 2003, the sentence is displayed in all packs.
Brunei The following warnings appear on cigarette packages in Brunei since 2007, based on those of Singapore though displayed in both Malay and English: (Smoking causes various cancers) (Smoking causes strokes and heart disease) (Smoking kills) (Smoking damages your teeth) (Tobacco smoke harms your baby) (Tobacco smoke can kill babies) (Smoking causes lung cancer) (Smoking causes impotence)
Cambodia In August 2021, the Cambodian Ministry of Health mandated the display of pictorial health warnings, requiring them to cover 55% of the packaging and be updated every two years. The warnings range from a gangrenous foot to premature birth.
Canada
Canada has had three phases of tobacco warning labels. The first set of warnings was introduced in 1989 under the Tobacco Products Control Act, and required warnings to be printed on all tobacco products sold legally in Canada. The set consisted of four messages printed in black-and-white on the front and back of the package, and was expanded in 1994 to include eight messages covering 25% of the front top of the package.
In 2000, the Tobacco Products Information Regulations (TPIR) were passed under the Tobacco Act. The regulations introduced a new set of sixteen warnings. Each warning was printed on the front and back of the package, covering 50% of the surface, with a short explanation and a picture illustrating that particular warning, for example:
accompanied by a picture of cancerous growths inside a human lung. Canada thus became the first country to implement health warnings with pictures.
Additionally, on the inside of the packaging or, for some packets, on a pull-out card, "health information messages" provide answers and explanations regarding common questions and concerns about quitting smoking and smoking-related illnesses. The side of the package also featured information on toxic emissions and constituent levels.
In 2011, the TPIR were replaced for cigarettes and little cigars with the Tobacco Products Labelling Regulations (Cigarettes and Little Cigars). These regulations introduced the third and current set of 16 warnings in Canada. Currently, cigarette and little cigar packages in Canada must bear new graphic warning messages that cover 75% of the front and back of the package. The interior of each package contains 1 of 8 updated health warning messages, all including the number for a national quitline. The side of the package now bears 1 of 4 simplified toxic emission statements. These labels were fully implemented on cigarette and little cigar packages by June 2012 (though the 2000 labels still appear on other tobacco products). Canada also prohibits terms such as "light" and "mild" from appearing on tobacco packaging. The current labels were based on extensive research and a long consultation process that sought to evaluate and improve upon the warnings introduced in 2000.
In accordance with Canadian law regarding products sold legally in Canada, the warnings are provided in both English and French. Imported cigarettes to be sold in Canada which do not have the warnings are affixed with sticker versions when they are sold legally in Canada.
Health Canada considered laws mandating plain packaging, legal tobacco product packaging did still include warning labels, but brand names, fonts, and colors were replaced with simple unadorned text, thereby reducing the impact of tobacco industry marketing techniques. It was mandated in January 2020.
Canada became the first country in the world to require health warnings on each individual cigarettes and cigars, effective August 1, 2023, to be phased in over time when the regulation is fully in effect by April 2025.Canada to become first country in the world to require health warnings on individual cigarettes
Chile Since November 2006, all cigarette packages sold in Chile are required to have one of two health warnings, a graphic pictorial warning or a text-only warning. These warnings are replaced with a new set of two warnings each year.
China Under laws of the People's Republic of China, the Law on Tobacco Monopoly (中华人民共和国烟草专卖法) Chapter 4, Article 18 and Regulations for the Implementation of the Law on Tobacco Monopoly (中华人民共和国烟草专卖法实施条例) Chapter 5 Article 29, cigarettes and cigars sold within Mainland China should indicate the grade of tar content and "Smoking is hazardous to your health" (吸烟有害健康) in the Chinese language on the packs and cartons.
In 2009, the warnings were changed. The warnings, which occupy not less than 30% of the front and back of cigarette packs, show "吸烟有害健康 尽早戒烟有益健康" (Smoking is harmful to your health. Quitting smoking early is good for your health) in the front and "吸烟有害健康 戒烟可减少对健康的危害" (Smoking is harmful to your health. Quitting smoking can reduce health risks) in the back.
The warnings were revised in October 2016 and must occupy at least 35% of the front and back of cigarette packs. The following are the current warnings. In the front: 本公司提示吸烟有害健康请勿在禁烟场所吸烟 ("Our company notes that smoking is harmful to your health. Do not smoke in non-smoking areas" in Chinese) In the back: 尽早戒烟有益健康戒烟可减少对健康的危害 ("Quitting smoking as soon as possible is good for your health. It can also reduce health risks" in Chinese) or 劝阻青少年吸烟禁止中小学生吸烟 ("Dissuade teenagers from smoking. Prohibit primary and middle school students from smoking" in Chinese)
Cuba