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. 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
Este produto contém mais de 4,7 mil substâncias tóxicas, e nicotina que causa dependência física ou psíquica. Não existem níveis seguros para consumo dessas substâncias. (This product contains over 4,700 toxic substances and nicotine, which causes physical or psychological addiction. There are no safe levels for consuming these substances.) 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:
MEROKOK MENYEBABKAN PELBAGAI KANSER (Smoking causes various cancers) MEROKOK MENYEBABKAN STROK DAN PENYAKIT JANTUNG (Smoking causes strokes and heart disease) MEROKOK MEMBUNUH (Smoking kills) MEROKOK MEROSAKKAN GIGI AWDA (Smoking damages your teeth) ASAP TEMBAKAU MEMBAHAYAKAN ANAK DAMIT AWDA (Tobacco smoke harms your baby) ASAP TEMBAKAU BOLEH MEMBUNUH ANAK DAMIT (Tobacco smoke can kill babies) MEROKOK MENYEBABKAN KANSER PARU-PARU (Smoking causes lung cancer) MEROKOK MENYEBABKAN MATI PUCUK (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:WARNING: CIGARETTES CAUSE LUNG CANCER85% of lung cancers are caused by smoking.80% of lung cancer victims die within three years. 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.
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
Cigarette packs in Cuba are not allowed to use words such as "Ligeros" (Lights) or "Suaves" (Smooths), and are not allowed to contain advertising messages other than brand images. One or both sides of cigarette packs must display a warning, rotating between several preselected warning messages, although in practice, warnings are located almost exclusively on the back. The text must be in Spanish, with clear, visible, legible capital letters. It must be in the Arial font, centered, and the color of the warning must contrast with the background sufficiently to facilitate reading. The warnings must either occupy 30% of each face or 60% of one face, with the choice of which left up to each individual company. The warnings cannot be located in a place that may be damaged upon opening of the pack, and they may or may not be accompanied by images/pictograms. There can be no less than 4 rotating warnings at any given time, with an exception granted for "Criollos" and other similar brands made and designed for sale exclusively to Cubans and produced through modernization of Cuban factories. The tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide content must also be printed on the side of each pack.
European Union
Cigarette packets and other tobacco packaging have harmonized warnings across the European Union. They must include warnings in the same size and format and using the same approved texts (in the appropriate local languages) in all member states. The current warnings are governed by the revised Tobacco Products Directive, which became applicable in EU countries in May 2016. The warnings cover the front, rear, and sides of the package, in a format where the health warning including a pictorial warning and cessation information must cover 65% of the front and back of the packaging, and a text-only health warning must cover 50% of the side of the packaging. There are 13 text statements, each of which must be accompanied by one of 3 relevant pictures, which are rotated annually, meaning there are 42 pictorial warnings in total. These warnings are displayed in white text, or yellow and white text when the warnings are multilingual, on a black background in Neue Frutiger Condensed Bold font. The warnings are:
Smoking causes 9 out of 10 lung cancers Smoking causes mouth and throat cancer Smoking damages your lungs Smoking causes heart attacks Smoking causes strokes and disability Smoking clogs your arteries Smoking increases the risk of blindness Smoking damages your teeth and gums Smoking can kill your unborn child Your smoke harms your children, family and friends Smokers' children are more likely to start smoking Quit smoking – stay alive for those close to you Smoking reduces fertility Smoking increases the risk of impotence They are accompanied by cessation information in black text on a yellow background which includes either a phone number, website or the message "Get help to stop smoking: consult your doctor or pharmacist" in duty free stores. Each packet also carries two additional warnings on the side of the pack, in black Helvetica bold on a white background with a thick black border. These warnings are:
Smoking kills or Smoking kills – quit now Tobacco smoke contains over 70 substances known to cause cancer Plain packaging is also permitted under this directive. Plain packaging is used in Belgium, Denmark, France, Hungary, Ireland and The Netherlands.
History
2001 - 2016 There were previously two general warnings used on the front of packaging, which took up 30% and 14 additional warnings on the rear of packaging, which took up 40%, however the sizes were increased if more than one language was present. These warnings were displayed in black Helvetica bold on a white background with a thick black border. The general warnings are: Smoking kills Smoking seriously harms you and others around you The additional warnings were:
Smokers die younger. Smoking clogs the arteries and causes heart attacks and strokes. Smoking causes fatal lung cancer. Smoking when pregnant harms your baby. Protect children: don't make them breathe your smoke. Your doctor or your pharmacist can help you stop smoking. Smoking is highly addictive, don't start. Stopping smoking reduces the risk of fatal heart and lung diseases. Smoking can cause a slow and painful death. Get help to stop smoking: (telephone/postal address/internet address/consult your doctor/pharmacist). Smoking may reduce the blood flow and causes impotence. Smoking causes ageing of the skin. Smoking can damage the sperm and decreases fertility. Smoke contains benzene, nitrosamines, formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. Ireland once prefaced its warnings with "Irish Government Warning", Latvia with "Veselības ministrija brīdina" (Health Ministry Warning) and Spain with "Las autoridades sanitarias advierten" ("The Health Board Warns"). In member states with more than one official language, the warnings were displayed in all official languages, with the sizes adjusted accordingly (for example in Belgium the messages are written in Dutch, French and German, in Luxembourg in French and German and in Ireland, in Irish and English). All cigarette packets sold in the European Union used to have to display the content of nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide in the same manner on the side of the packet, this is no longer the case. In 2003, it was reported that sales of cigarette cases had surged, attributable to the introduction of more prominent warning labels on cigarette packs by this directive. Alternatively, people choose to hide the warnings using various "funny" stickers, such as "You could be hit by a bus tomorrow." In 2005, the first set of pictorial warnings was introduced for the rear of packaging. There were 3 pictorial warnings for each additional warning leading to a total of 42. The adoption of pictorial warnings was not mandatory, and was first originally adopted by Belgium in 2006, followed by Romania and the United Kingdom in 2008, Latvia in 2010, Malta, France and Spain in 2011, Denmark and Hungary in 2012 and Ireland in 2013. In 2008, an Irish primary school teacher won her High Court bid to have health warnings on cigarette packets published in Irish as well as English, as previously they were in English only. The warnings were replaced in 2016, however a similar format continued to be used in Switzerland (until 2025) and Ukraine, with the same pictorial warnings.
1989 - 2001
In 1989 the first EU-wide warnings were introduced by directive 89/622/EEC. It consisted of one general warning covering 4% of the front of packet (6% where the warnings displayed two languages and 8% where they displayed three), which was:
Tobacco seriously damages health The warnings at the rear were in a similar size and member states were able to choose which ones would be included on their warnings, however they must have included:
Smoking causes cancer Smoking causes heart disease They also may have included the following warnings optionally:
Smoking causes fatal diseases. Smoking kills. Smoking can kill. Smoking when pregnant harms your baby. Protect children: don't make them breathe your smoke. Smoking damages the health of those around you. Stopping smoking reduces the risk of serious disease. Smoking causes cancer, chronic bronchitis and other chest diseases. More than (....) people die each year in (name of the country) from lung cancer. Every year, . . . people are killed in road accidents in (name of the country) — ... times more die from their addiction to smoking. Every year, addiction to smoking claims more victims than road accidents. Smokers die younger. Don't smoke if you want to stay healthy. Save money: stop smoking. There were no EU-wide warnings prior to this however some member states had introduced their own warnings, such as in Finland, Ireland and Sweden, which first introduced text warnings in the 1970s.
Georgia General warning:
Ghana Warnings in Ghana are compliant with the EU's legislations, as follows: Packaging 1 (same as in the newer UK packaging):
Smoking seriously harms you and others around you Stopping smoking reduces the risk of fatal heart and lung diseases Packaging 2 (same as in the older UK packaging):
Smoking causes cancer Smoking damages the health of those around you Packaging 3 (same as in the older UK packaging):
Smoking causes fatal diseases Smokers die younger
Honduras In Honduras, warnings are stipulated by the Honduran Institute for the Prevention of Alcoholism, Drug Addiction and Drug Dependence (IHADFA).
Hong Kong
In 1983, the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance dictated tobacco companies to print an official warning on cigarette packages by Hong Kong Government. Under Hong Kong Law, Chap 371B Smoking (Public Health) (Notices) Order, packaging must indicate the amount of nicotine and tar that is present in cigarette boxes in addition to graphics depicting different health problems caused by smoking in the size and ratio as prescribed by law. The warnings are to be published in both official languages, Traditional Chinese and English. Every warning begins with the phrase '香港特區政府忠告市民/HKSAR GOVERNMENT WARNING' and then one of the following in all caps:
吸煙引致肺癌/Smoking causes lung cancer 吸煙足以致命/Smoking kills 吸煙禍及家人/Smoking harms your family 吸煙引致末梢血管疾病/Smoking causes peripheral vascular diseases 吸煙可引致陽萎/Smoking may cause impotence 吸煙可加速皮膚老化/Smoking can accelerate aging of the skin In addition, any print advertisement must give minimum 85% coverage of the following warnings: HKSAR GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING
January - February SMOKING KILLS March - April SMOKING CAUSES CANCER May - June SMOKING CAUSES HEART DISEASE July - August SMOKING CAUSES LUNG CANCER September - October SMOKING CAUSES RESPIRATORY DISEASES November - December SMOKING HARMS YOUR CHILDREN In 2018, a new batch of warnings were introduced, consisting of the following warnings that cover 85% of packs:
Iceland All cigarette packets and other tobacco packaging in Iceland must include warnings in the same size and format as in the European Union and using the same approved texts in Icelandic. General warning:
These warnings are also used:
Læknirinn þinn eða lyfjafræðingur geta hjálpað þér að hætta að reykja. (Your doctor or pharmacist can help you quit smoking) Reykingar valda krabbameini. (Smoking causes cancer) Reykingar eru mjög skaðlegar fyrir þig og þá sem eru nálægt þér. (Smoking is very harmful to you and those close to you) Reykingar stífla slagæðar og valda kransæðastíflu og heilablóðfalli. (Smoking blocks your arteries and causes coronary artery disease and strokes) Reykingar valda banvænu krabbameini í lungum. (Smoking causes fatal lung cancer) Reykingar á meðgöngu skaða barnið þitt. (Smoking during pregnancy harms your child) Verndaðu börnin – Láttu þau ekki anda að sér tókbaksreyk. (Protect children – Don't let them inhale tobacco smoke)
India
In India, health warnings were introduced in 1975. Cigarette packets sold in India are required to carry graphical and textual health warnings. The warning must cover at least 85% of the surface of the pack, of which 60% must be pictorial and the remaining 25% contains textual warnings in English, Hindi or any other Indian language. In 2003, India ratified the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which includes a recommendation for large, clear health warnings on tobacco packages. However, there was a delay in implementing graphic warning labels. Until 2008, cigarette packets sold in India were required to carry a written warning on the front of the packet with the text CIGARETTE SMOKING IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH in English. Paan, gutkha and khaini packets carried the warning TOBACCO IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH in Hindi and English. The law later changed. According to the new law, cigarette packets were required to carry pictorial warnings of a skull or scorpion along with the text SMOKING KILLS and TOBACCO CAUSES MOUTH CANCER in Hindi and English.
English
Hindi
The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules 2008 requiring graphic health warnings came into force on 31 May 2008. Under the law, all tobacco products were required to display graphic pictures, such as pictures of diseased lungs, and the text SMOKING KILLS or TOBACCO KILLS in English, covering at least 40% of the front of the pack, and retailers must display the cigarette packs in such a way that the pictures on pack are clearly visible. In January 2012, controversy arose when it was discovered that an image of former English footballer John Terry was used on a warning label. On 15 October 2014, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan announced that only 15% of the surface of a pack of cigarettes could contain branding, and that the rest must be used for graphic and text health warnings. The Union Ministry of Health amended the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules, 2008 to enforce the changes effective from 1 April 2015. However, the government decision to increase pictorial warnings on tobacco packets from 1 April was put on hold indefinitely, following the recommendations of a Parliamentary committee, which reportedly did not speak to health experts but only to tobacco lobby representatives. On 5 April 2016, the health ministry ordered government agencies to enforce this new rule. Following the intervention by the Parliamentary committee, NGO Health of Millions, represented by Prashant Bhushan, filed a petition in the Supreme Court of India, which asked the government to stop selling of loose cigarettes and publish bigger health warnings on tobacco packs.
Indonesia In Indonesia, health warnings were introduced in 1991.
May 1991–December 1999
January 2000–December 2013 With the enforcement of the Indonesian Government Regulation No. 19 (2003) on Cigarette Safety for Health, a new warning was implemented:
The last recorded usage of this warning in TV advertisements was an Esse Mild advertisement from late February 2014.
December 2013–December 2018
With the enforcement of the Indonesian Government Regulation No. 109 (2012) on Safeguarding Materials Containing Addictive Substances in the Form of Tobacco Products for Health, all tobacco products/cigarette packaging and advertisement should include warning images and age restriction (18+). Graphic warnings must cover 40% of cigarette packages. After the introduction of graphic images in Indonesian cigarette packaging, the branding of cigarettes as "light", "mild", "filter", etc. is forbidden, except for brands that already use some words above such as L.A. Lights, A Mild or Dunhill Filter. However, the last advertisement to use this warning was a 2021 Djarum Super advertisement, before it subsequently used the 2018 warning. Other alternatives:
PERINGATAN: MEROKOK SEBABKAN KANKER MULUT (Warning: Smoking causes mouth cancer) PERINGATAN: MEROKOK SEBABKAN KANKER TENGGOROKAN (Warning: Smoking causes throat cancer) PERINGATAN: MEROKOK DEKAT ANAK BERBAHAYA BAGI MEREKA (Warning: Smoking endangers children near you) PERINGATAN: MEROKOK SEBABKAN KANKER PARU-PARU DAN BRONKITIS KRONIS (Warning: Smoking causes lung cancer and chronic bronchitis) These warnings below appear on the side of cigarette packaging:
DILARANG MENJUAL/MEMBERI PADA ANAK USIA DI BAWAH 18 TAHUN DAN PEREMPUAN HAMIL (Do not sell or give [this product] to children under 18 years old and pregnant women) Optional: TIDAK ADA BATAS AMAN! MENGANDUNG LEBIH DARI 4.000 ZAT KIMIA BERBAHAYA, 43 ZAT PENYEBAB KANKER (There is no safe limit! Contains more than 4,000 hazardous chemicals and 43 carcinogens)
January 2019–September 2024
After it was revealed that the pictorial warnings used in Indonesia originally came from the 2005 warnings of Thailand, on 31 May 2018, the Ministry of Health launched new pictorial health warnings, of which two depict Indonesian smokers and one depicts a smoker from Venezuela. Other alternatives:
PERINGATAN: MEROKOK SEBABKAN KANKER MULUT (Warning: Smoking causes mouth cancer) PERINGATAN: MEROKOK SEBABKAN KANKER PARU (Warning: Smoking causes lung cancer) PERINGATAN: ROKOK MERENGGUT KEBAHAGIAAN SAYA SATU PERSATU (Warning: One by one, cigarettes took my happiness away) PERINGATAN: MEROKOK SEBABKAN KANKER TENGGOROKAN (Warning: Smoking causes throat cancer) DILARANG MENJUAL/MEMBERI PADA ANAK USIA DI BAWAH 18 TAHUN DAN PEREMPUAN HAMIL (Do not sell or give [this product] to children under 18 years old and pregnant women) (from January 2019 until August 2024) DILARANG MENJUAL DAN MEMBERI KEPADA ORANG DI BAWAH 21 TAHUN DAN PEREMPUAN HAMIL (Do not sell and distribute to people under 21 and pregnant women) (since August 2024)
Iran Iran mandates pictorial warnings on all tobacco packages. General warning:
Japan
In 1972, Japan became the first country in Asia to display a general warning on cigarette packages. Prior to 2005, there was only one warning on all Japanese cigarette packages.
健康のため吸いすぎに注意しましょう (For the good of your health, be careful not to smoke too much) (1972–1989) あなたの健康を損なうおそれがありますので吸いすぎに注意しましょう (Be careful not to smoke too much, as there is a risk of damaging your health) (1990–2005) Since 2005, more than one general warning is printed on cigarette packaging. On the front of cigarette packages:
喫煙は、あなたにとって肺がんの原因の一つとなります。疫学的な推計によると、喫煙者は肺がんにより死亡する危険性が非喫煙者に比べて約2倍から4倍高くなります。 (Smoking is a cause of lung cancer. According to epidemiological estimates, smokers are about two to four times more likely than non-smokers to die of lung cancer.) 喫煙は、あなたにとって心筋梗塞の危険性を高めます。疫学的な推計によると、喫煙者は心筋梗塞により死亡する危険性が非喫煙者に比べて約1.7倍高くなります。 (Smoking increases risk of myocardial infarctions. According to epidemiological estimates, smokers are about 1.7 times more likely than non-smokers to die of a heart attack.) 喫煙は、あなたにとって脳卒中の危険性を高めます。疫学的な推計によると、喫煙者は脳卒中により死亡する危険性が非喫煙者に比べて約1.7倍高くなります。 (Smoking increases risk of strokes. According to epidemiological estimates, smokers are about 1.7 times more likely than non-smokers to die of a stroke.) 喫煙は、あなたにとって肺気腫を悪化させる危険性を高めます。 (Smoking can aggravate the symptoms of emphysema.) On the back of cigarette packages:
妊娠中の喫煙は、胎児の発育障害や早産の原因の一つとなります。疫学的な推計によると、たばこを吸う妊婦は、吸わない妊婦に比べ、低出生体重の危険性が約2倍、早産の危険性が約3倍高くなります。（詳細については、厚生労働省のホーム・ページ www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/tobacco/main.html をご参照ください。） (Smoking during pregnancy is a cause of premature births and impaired fetal growth. According to epidemiological estimates, pregnant women who smoke have almost double the risk of low birth weight and three times the risk of premature births than pregnant women who do not smoke. (For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health home page at www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/tobacco/main.html.)) たばこの煙は、あなたの周りの人、特に乳幼児、子供、お年寄りなどの健康に悪影響を及ぼします。喫煙の際には、周りの人の迷惑にならないように注意しましょう。 (Tobacco smoke adversely affects the health of people around you, especially infants, children and the elderly. When smoking, be careful not to annoy others.) 人により程度は異なりますが、ニコチンにより喫煙への依存が生じます。 (The degree may differ from person to person, but nicotine [in cigarettes] causes addiction to smoking.) 未成年者の喫煙は、健康に対する悪影響やたばこへの依存をより強めます。周りの人から勧められても決して吸ってはいけません。 (Smoking while underage heightens the addiction and damage to health caused by cigarettes. Never smoke, even if encouraged to by those around you.)
Laos
Laos introduced graphical warnings in 2016. Eight years later, these warnings were updated, one of which depicts a traditional Lao stupa grave accompanied by the message "Tobacco kills one in two smokers who don't quit".
Malaysia In Malaysia, a general warning was used between 1976 and 2009: AMARAN OLEH KERAJAAN MALAYSIA: MEROKOK MEMBAHAYAKAN KESIHATAN (Warning from the Government of Malaysia: Smoking endangers health). Graphic images on cigarette packs were introduced in June 2009 to show the adverse long-term effects of excessive smoking, replacing the general warning with text describing said images printed in Malay (front) and English (back) explaining:
(in Malay) "Amaran: Rokok penyebab ..." (in English) "Warning: Cigarettes cause ..." Graphic warnings must cover 40% of the front of cigarette packages and 60% of the back. The branding of cigarettes as "light", "mild", etc. is also forbidden.
Maldives In the Maldives, products containing tobacco are required by law to have (in Dhivehi): At the front and back:
A health warning eg. Smoking gives you a painful death (Dhivehi: ދުންފަތުން ލިބޭނީ ވޭންދެނިވި މަރެއް) A cessation message eg. Stop quickly! (Dhivehi: އަވަހަށް ހުއްޓާލާ!) A graphic image eg. cut open body showing lung cancer Description of the image On the sides:
Explanatory message of complications caused by tobacco eg. Tobacco contains 250 poisonous chemicals. These poisons damage vital organs of the body, causing cancer, stroke, lung damage, and other such painful illnesses. (Dhivehi: ދުންފަތުގައި 250 ވިހަ ކެމިކަލް ހިމެނެއެވެ. މި ވިހަތައް ހަށިގަނޑުގެ މުހިންމު ގުނަވަންތަކަށް ގެއްލުންދީ، ކެންސަރާއި، ސްޓްރޯކާއި، ފުއްޕާމޭ ހަލާކުވުން ފަދަ ވޭންދެނިވި ބަލިތައް ޖައްސައެވެ.) A message Get help from a health professional to save yourself! (Dhivehi: ސަލާމަތް ވުމަށް ޞިއްޙީ ފަންނު ވެރިއެއްގެ އެހީތެރިކަން ހޯދާ!)
Mexico
Since 2010, cigarette packs in Mexico must contain health warnings and graphic images. By law, 30% of the pack's front, 100% of the pack's rear and 100% of one lateral must consist on images and warnings. The Secretariat of Health issues new warnings and images every six months. Images have included a dead rat, a partial mastectomy, a laryngectomy, a dead human fetus surrounded by cigarette butts, a woman being fed after suffering a stroke and damaged lungs, amongst others. Warnings include smoking-related diseases and statistics, toxins found in cigarettes and others. Mexico became the first country to put a warning on cigarette packs that tobacco use could increase the risk of COVID-19 infection.
Moldova General warning (on the front of cigarette packages, covering at least 30% of the area, Helvetica font):
"Fumatul ucide" (Smoking kills) or "Fumatul dăunează grav sănătăţii dumneavoastră şi a celor din jur" (Smoking seriously harms you and those around); Additional warnings (on the back of cigarette packages, covering at least 40% of the area, Helvetica font):
"Fumătorii mor mai tineri" (Smokers die younger); "Fumatul blochează arterele şi provoacă infarct miocardic şi accident vascular cerebral" (Smoking clogs the arteries and causes heart attacks and strokes); "Fumatul conduce la moarte de cancer pulmonar" (Smoking causes death from lung cancer); "Fumatul în timpul sarcinii dăunează copilului dumneavoastră" (Smoking while pregnant harms your baby); "Protejaţi copiii dumneavoastră de inspirarea fumului de ţigaretă" (Protect your children from breathing in the cigarette smoke); "Psihologul, profesorul sau medicul vă poate ajuta să renunţaţi la fumat" (Psychologists, professors and doctors can help you quit smoking); "Fumatul creează dependenţă rapidă, nu încercaţi să fumaţi" (Smoking becomes addictive fast, try not to smoke); "Abandonarea fumatului reduce riscul de îmbolnăviri cardiace sau pulmonare fatale" (Quitting smoking reduces the risk of fatal heart and lung diseases); "Fumatul poate provoca o moarte lentă şi dureroasă" (Smoking can cause a slow and painful death); "Fumatul reduce circulaţia sîngelui şi provoacă impotenţă" (Smoking reduces blood circulation and increases impotency); "Fumatul provoacă îmbolnăvirea tenului (pielei)" (Smoking causes skin diseases); "Fumatul creează grave disfuncţii sexuale" (Smoking causes serious sexual dysfunction); Regulated by "Lege cu privire la tutun şi la articolele din tutun" (Law on tobacco and tobacco articles) nr. 278-XVI from 14.12.2007 enabled at 07.03.2008 There is no such rule in Transnistria, where cigarette packages have variable warning labels depending on where they come from.
New Zealand
The first health warnings appeared on cigarette packets in New Zealand in 1974. Warning images accompanying text have been required to appear on each packet since 28 February 2008. New regulations were made on 14 March 2018 which provided for larger warnings and a new schedule of images and messages. By law, 75% of a pack's front and 100% of its rear must consist of warning messages. Images include gangrenous toes, rotting teeth and gums, diseased lungs and smoking-damaged hearts. Cigarette packets also carry the New Zealand Quitline logo and phone number and other information about quitting smoking. In total, there are fourteen different warnings. A full list with pictures is available at the New Zealand Ministry of Health's website. Warning messages are rotated annually. The following is a list of the warnings in English and Māori.
Smoking causes heart attacks – KA PĀ MAI NGĀ MANAWA-HĒ I TE KAI PAIPA Smoking causes over 80% of lung cancers – NEKE ATU I TE 80% O NGĀ MATE PUKUPUKU KI NGĀ PŪKAHUKAHU I AHU MAI I TE KAI PAIPA Smoking harms your baby before it is born – KA TŪKINOHIA TŌ PĒPI I TO KŌPŪ I TE KAI PAIPA Your smoking harms others – KA TŪKINOHIA ĒTAHI ATU I Ō MAHI KAI PAIPA Smoking is a major cause of stroke – KA PIKI AKE I TE KAI PAIPA TŌ TŪPONO KI TE IKURA RORO Smoking damages your blood vessels – KA TŪKINOHIA Ō IA TOTO I TE KAI PAIPA Smoking is not attractive – KA ANUANU KOE I TE KAI PAIPA Smoking causes heart attacks – KA PĀ MAI NGĀ MANAWA-HĒ I TE KAI PAIPA Smoking causes lung cancer – KA PĀ MAI TE MATE PUKUPUKU KI NGĀ PŪKAHUKAHU I TE KAI PAIPA Smoking when pregnant harms your baby – KA TŪKINOHIA TŌ PĒPI I TE KAI PAIPA I A KOE E HAPŪ ANA Your smoking harms children – KA TŪKINOHIA NGĀ TAMARIKI I Ō MAHI KAI PAIPA Smoking is a major cause of stroke – KA PIKI AKE I TE KAI PAIPA TŌ TŪPONO KI TE IKURA RORO Quit before it is too late – ME WHAKAMUTU KEI RIRO KOE Smoking causes gum disease and stinking breath – KA PĀ TE MATE PŪNIHO, KA HAUNGA TŌ HĀ I TE KAI PAIPA
Nigeria Six warnings existed prior to 2013:
Smoking is addictive Smoking damages lungs Smoking can kill Smoking can cause cancer Smoking can damage the fetus From 2013 onwards, the general warning in Nigeria is: The Federal Ministry of Health warns that smokers are liable to die young.
North Korea North Korea signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on 17 June 2003 and ratified it on 27 April 2005. Warnings are required on all types of packaging, but their appearance is not regulated in any way. They usually state that smoking is harmful to health. However, nicotine and tar content listed must not be misleading and do need to be approved by local authorities. Graphic warning images that are now common worldwide have never appeared on packaging in North Korea.
Norway
Norway has had general warnings on cigarette packets since 1975. Norway's warnings of today were introduced in 2003 and are in line with the European Union's legislation, as Norway is an EEA member: On the front of cigarette and cigar packages, covering about 30% of the area:
Røyking dreper (Smoking kills) Røyking er svært skadelig for deg og dine omgivelser (Smoking is very harmful to you and your surroundings) On the back of cigarette and cigar packages, covering about 45% of the area:
Røyking fører til dødeleg lungekreft (Smoking causes fatal lung cancer) Hvis du slutter å røyke vil du minske risikoen for dødelige hjerte- og lungesykdommer (If you stop smoking, you will reduce the risk of fatal heart and lung diseases) Røyking fører til tidleg aldring av huda (Smoking causes early ageing of the skin) Røyking kan redusere blodgjennomstrømminga og føre til impotens (Smoking may reduce the blood flow and cause impotence) Røyking kan føre til ei