Warning labels
Warnings on tobacco products inform people of the health risks of smoking. They can help deter young people from taking up smoking and also help smokers to quit. However, to be effective, written warnings must be in large, clear text that stands out from the rest of the pack design. Pictorial warnings are even more effective. In the UK health warnings are regulated by the EU Tobacco Products Directive which is currently under review. Parties to the global treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, are also required to implement measures to ensure tobacco packaging includes large health warnings.
Cigarette Package Health Warnings – International Status Report
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This report provides an international overview, ranking 198 countries/jurisdictions based on warning size, as well as listing those that have finalised requirements for picture warnings.
Canadian Cancer Society / FCA Oct. 2012
Australia: New tobacco graphic health warnings
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Australia is the first country in the world to require standardised packaging of tobacco products, prohibiting company logos and colours. The law, which is due to take effect from 1 December 2012, requires enlarged pictorial health warnings on both sides of the pack.
High level conference on pictorial health warnings and standardised packaging for tobacco products
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Organised by the European Smokefree Partnership, the purpose of this event was to present the arguments of the tobacco control community in favour of mandatory pictorial warnings and plain packaging of tobacco products. It also aimed to counter tobacco industry myths.
ASH response to the possible revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive
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ASH response to the EU Tobacco Products Directive consultation. 2010
Consultation on a possible revision of EU Directive 2001/37/EC
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In 2010 the European Commission held a public consultation on proposals to revise the Directive. This included an option of making pictorial warnings compulsory.
Packaging and Labelling: The FCTC Commitments
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This briefing summarises the requirements of Parties under Article 11 of the FCTC to adopt health warnings and to ensure that packaging does not promote tobacco products by false, misleading or deceptive means.
Guidelines on packaging and labelling of tobacco products
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At its third session in November 2008, the Conference of the Parties (COP) adopted guidelines for implementation of Article 11 of the WHO FCTC on "Packaging and labelling of Tobacco Products" (decision FCTC/COP3(10)).
Smokefree Partnership: Spotlight on Articles 11 & 13
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In the context of the revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive, this briefing examines the importance of Articles 11 & 13 of the FCTC on labelling and packaging of tobacco products.
Cigarette Package Health Warnings: International Status Report
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A report by the Canadian Cancer Society which summarises international cigarette package health warning requirements by country/jurisdiction, including both Parties and Non-Parties to the WHO FCTC. Oct. 2010
Review of the effectiveness of health warnings in Australia
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In Australia, health warnings now occupy 30% of the front and 90% of the back of cigarette packs, with a graphic appearing on both front and back. 2008
Tobacco Control Supersite: Image gallery
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Includes images of cigarette packs and pictorial health warnings from around the world
Physicians for a Smoke Free Canada list of picture warnings
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A useful web page with information on picture based health warnings with links to examples from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Singapore, Thailand and Venezuela.
EU Directive 2001/37/EC
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This Directive sets out the rules regarding the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products. Article 5 outlines the labelling regulations and Annex 1 the list of additional health warnings.
ASH submission to Government consultation on picture warnings
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ASH supported the Government's proposal to include picture warnings on tobacco packaging as this will raise awareness of the health impacts of tobacco and help people to quit.
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 03/07/2006
Images of Thailand's pictorial warnings
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From 25 March 2005 Thailand is introducing graphic depictions of the dangers of smoking.
Author: Thai Government Published By: Thai Government Published : 24/03/2005
Mock up of new European Union health warnings
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This is a mock up of the how the new EU health warnings will appear on packs (in the UK from Jan 2003). These new warnings are being introduced through EU Directive 2001/37/EC
Author: European Union Published By: European Union Published : 09/12/2002
Canadian health warnings
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Press release by Canadian Cancer Society on the Evaluation of new warnings on cigarette packets. A survey found that 90% of smokers and 49% of non smokers had noticed changes to cigarette warnings. 44% of smokers said that the new warnings increase their motivation to quit.
Author: Canadian Cancer Society Published By: Canadian Cancer Society Published : 08/01/2002
Health warnings: a summary of the evidence
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Research report by ASH on evidence of health warnings on tobacco products. The European Union is to have larger and bolder health warnings. This document gives a brief review of some of the extensive evidence in favour of larger warning labels.
Author: ASH Published By: ASH Published : 26/08/2000
Thailand's pictorial health warnings
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Thai cigarette packs are to carry graphic warnings showing the toll smoking takes on the human body. You can browse through the Thai warnings. Jan 2004
Proposed new pictorial warnings for EU countries
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Press conference by Commissioner David Byrne on tobacco and cigarette pack illustrations. Includes a library of combined text and photo warnings that Member States may put on cigarette packets. November 2004
Impact of the new EU health warnings on the Dutch Quit line
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The new EU health warnings have been in use in the Netherlands since May 2001 and have had an impact on the number of calls to the Dutch Quit line. Letter in Tobacco Control, 2002, Vol 11 (Dec) pp: 381 - 382. By Willemsen, Simons and Zeeman
Tobacco or Health in the European Union: Past Present and Future
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Report by the ASPECT Consortium, European Commission on tobacco in the European Union. 2004
Department of Health Consultation on the introduction of picture warnings on tobacco packs
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A report by the Department of Health on the consulation on picture warnings. Outcome published 29 August 2007.
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