Citizendia

Tobacco packaging warning messages are health warning messages that appear on the packaging of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Health is a state of complete physical mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity Packaging is the science art and technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution storage sale and use A cigarette ( French "small Cigar " from cigar + -ette) is a product consumed through Smoking and manufactured Tobacco is an Agricultural product recognized as an addictive drug processed from the fresh Leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. They have been implemented in an effort to enhance the public's knowledge about the dangers of smoking. Tobacco Smoking is the inhalation of smoke from burned dried or cured leaves of the Tobacco plant most often in the form of a Cigarette. In general, warnings used in different countries try to emphasize the same messages. Warnings for some countries are listed below. Such warnings have been commonplace in tobacco advertising for many years. Tobacco advertising is the promotion of Tobacco use (typically Cigarette smoking) by the Tobacco industry through a variety of

Contents

Argentina

General warning: El fumar es perjudicial para la salud - Smoking is detrimental to health

Australia

Graphic images on cigarette packets in Australia, introduced in March 2006.
Graphic images on cigarette packets in Australia, introduced in March 2006.

In early 2006 a new initiative was introduced, with graphic images depicting the effects of smoking * cigarettes to be displayed on cigarette packets. As of March 1, warnings must cover 30% of the front and 90% of the back of the box. Events 86 BC - Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army enters in Athens, removing the Tyrant [1] The 10% of the back not occupied by a warning is used by the message "Sale to underage persons prohibited".

For cigarette packets, warnings include:

With each warning is an accompanying graphic, and detailed information on the back of the packet. In addition, cigar and loose tobacco packets show other, slightly altered warnings. These warnings target the misconception that alternative, non-cigarette tobacco products are less harmful.

Australian cigarette packaging laws also prohibit the use of terms such as 'light', 'mild', 'extra mild', etc. This is to counteract the impression that certain tobacco mixtures are less damaging to health than others. To the same effect, while the carbon monoxide, nicotine and tar content of particular brands of cigarettes used to be mandated, the display and/or advertisement these figures is now prohibited under the government's "All Cigarettes are Toxic" campaign.

Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan, cigarette packages carry a small notice: "Ministry of Health warns: Smoking is dangerous for your health", but this is usually printed in light and small fonts, and the first part of the message is not always visible.

Brazil

Some of the graphic images on cigarette packs in Brazil,  used from 2003 until 2008.
Some of the graphic images on cigarette packs in Brazil, used from 2003 until 2008.

Brazil was the second country in the world to adopt mandatory warning images in cigarette packages. [1] Warnings and graphic images illustrating the risks of smoking occupy 100% of the back of cigarettes boxes since 2001. In 2008, the government elected a third batch of images, aimed at younger smokers. [1]

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 products contains over 4. 7 thousand toxic substances, and nicotine, which causes physical or psychiatric addiction. There are no safe levels for the intake of these substances. ) is displayed in all packs.

In addition to the above sentence, the message O Ministério da Saúde adverte: . . . (The Health Ministry warns: . . . ), followed by one of the many known risks of smoking, is shown on one of the sides. The same introduction, followed by a warning, was spoken after TV commercial advertisements; and even now that cigarette ads are no longer allowed, it retains great popularity and is used in a number of different contexts, health-related or not.

Canada

A Canadian Number 7 cigarette package showing warning graphics
A Canadian Number 7 cigarette package showing warning graphics

The Canadian Tobacco Act requires warnings to be printed on all tobacco products sold in Canada. The current set of 15 warnings was introduced in 2000, replacing older versions from 1994. A Health Canada warning is printed randomly on all tobacco product packaging, and is required to take up at least 50% of the visible surface. Health Canada ( French: Santé Canada) is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for national Public health Imported cigarettes to be sold in Canada which do not have the warnings are affixed with sticker versions.

Each warning is printed along with a short explanation and is accompanied by a picture illustrating that particular warning, for example:

WARNING
CIGARETTES CAUSE LUNG CANCER
85% of lung cancers are caused by smoking.
80% of lung cancer victims die within three years.

accompanied by a picture of a human lung detailing cancerous growths.

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. On the packaging (usually on the narrow side of a packet), a table details the approximate amount of toxic substances found in that particular brand of cigarette, for example (from B&H Belmont Milds brand):

"Toxic emissions / unit: Tar 11 - 26 mg, Nicotine 1. Benson & Hedges is a British brand of Cigarettes owned by the Gallaher Group. Tar is a viscous black Liquid derived from the Destructive distillation of organic matter Nicotine is an Alkaloid found in the Nightshade family of plants ( Solanaceae) which constitutes approximately 0 0 - 2. 4 mg,
Carbon monoxide 14 - 28 mg, Formaldehyde 0. Carbon monoxide, with the chemical formula CO is a colorless odorless tasteless yet highly toxic Gas. Formaldehyde is a Chemical compound with the formula H2CO It is the simplest Aldehyde —an organic compound containing a terminal Carbonyl 057 mg - 0. 14 mg,
Hydrogen cyanide 0. Hydrogen cyanide is a Chemical compound with Chemical formula HCN 10 - 0. 22 mg, Benzene 0. Benzene, or benzol, is an organic Chemical compound and a known Carcinogen with the molecular formula C 6 H 6 028 - 0. 067 mg"

In accordance with Canadian law regarding products sold in Canada, the warnings are provided in both English and French.

Health Canada is also considering laws mandating plain packaging, in which tobacco product packaging would be black and white and labelled solely with simple unadorned text, as well as outlawing descriptive terms such as "Light" and "Mild", which Health Canada argue are deceptive to consumers and encourage them to falsely believe that these brands of cigarettes are less likely to cause illness or addiction.

Further information on tobacco product labeling in Canada at Health Canada's website.

European Union

Cigarette packets and other tobacco packaging must include warnings in the same size and format and using the same approved texts (in the appropriate local languages) in all member states of the European Union. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in

These warnings are displayed in black Helvetica bold on a white background with a thick black border. Helvetica is the name of a widely used Sans-serif Typeface developed in 1957 by Swiss Typeface designer Max Miedinger. Ireland prefaces its warnings with "Irish Government Warning", and Latvia with "Veselības ministrija brīdina" (Health Ministry Warning). In member states with more than one official language, the warnings are displayed in all languages, with the sizes adjusted accordingly (for example in Belgium the messages are written in Dutch, French and German and in Luxembourg in French and German). The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those Luxembourg (Groussherzogtum Lëtzebuerg Grand-Duché de Luxembourg Großherzogtum Luxemburg is a small Landlocked country in Western Europe, bordered by All cigarette packets sold in the European Union must display the content of nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide in the same manner on the side of the packet. Nicotine is an Alkaloid found in the Nightshade family of plants ( Solanaceae) which constitutes approximately 0 Tar is a viscous black Liquid derived from the Destructive distillation of organic matter Carbon monoxide, with the chemical formula CO is a colorless odorless tasteless yet highly toxic Gas.

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 an EU directive in January 2003[2]. A cigarette case or cigarette box is a sturdy most commonly metal container to store small amounts of Cigarettes safely from crushing A pack of Cigarettes is a rectangular container, mostly of Paperboard, which contains cigarettes Alternatively, people choose to hide the warnings using various funny stickers, such as "You could be hit by a bus tomorrow".

Austria and Germany

Carton of German cigarettes, complete with large warning
Carton of German cigarettes, complete with large warning
Cigarette packets in Germany.
Cigarette packets in Germany. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe.

France

Warning on the French Cigarette Pack
Warning on the French Cigarette Pack
Front of packaging (covers 30% of surface)
Fumer tue
(Smoking kills)
Rear of packaging (covers 40% of surface, similar design)
Left or right side of packaging
Other side of packaging
Other characteristics

Ireland

Ireland currently follows EU standards (see above), but previously ran its own scheme, where one of 8 messages was placed on the pack, as defined in SI 326/1991. In Law, a Statutory Instrument is a form of delegated or Secondary legislation. [2]

Currently, the warnings are in English only, though from October 2008 they will made be bilingual, with both Irish and English to be displayed. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. [3]

Italy

A Pack from Italy
A Pack from Italy

Other text is sometimes placed in the packets, for example some packets contain leaflets which have all the above warnings written on them, with more detailed explanations and reasons to give up, and advice from Philip Morris.

Latvia

Latvian Warning Sign
Latvian Warning Sign

Malta

Netherlands, The

The Netherlands warning message and the government's information on the back of the pack.
The Netherlands warning message and the government's information on the back of the pack.

Sweden

United Kingdom

Cigarette pack in the United Kingdom.
Cigarette pack in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

One of the following general warnings must be displayed, covering at least 30% of the surface of the pack:

Additionally, one of the following additional warnings must be displayed, covering at least 40% of the surface of the pack:

The first written warnings on packets in Britain appeared in 2003, and shocking warning pictures are set to appear on British packets in 2008 alongside the written messages, revealed Alan Johnson, Secretary of Health in August 2007. Alan Arthur Johnson (born 17 May 1950 is a British Labour Party Politician and the Secretary of State for Health. [4]

Hong Kong

Warning on HKSAR cigarette packages
Warning on HKSAR cigarette packages

Under HK Laws. Hong Kong ( officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a territory located on China 's south coast on the Pearl River Delta, and borders 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. Nicotine is an Alkaloid found in the Nightshade family of plants ( Solanaceae) which constitutes approximately 0 Tar is a viscous black Liquid derived from the Destructive distillation of organic matter The warnings are to be published in both official languages, Traditional Chinese and English.

Warning begins with the phrase 'HKSAR GOVERNMENT WARNING' and then one of the following in all caps.

In addition, any print advertisement must give minimum 20% coverage of the following warnings: HKSAR GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING

Iceland

As in the European Union all cigarette packets and other tobacco packaging must include warnings in the same size and format and using the same approved texts in Icelandic. Iceland, officially the Republic of Iceland ( ( Ísland or Lýðveldið Ísland ( The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Icelandic ( is a North Germanic language, the language of Iceland.

India

Cigarette packets sold in India are required to carry pictorial warnings along with the text SMOKING IS INJURIOUS TO YOUR HEALTH and SMOKING CAUSES CANCER in both Hindi and English. Hindi ( Devanāgarī: hi [[wiktहिन्दी हिन्दी]] or hi [[wiktहिंदी हिंदी]] IAST:, IPA:) is English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The sale of tobacco products in the vicinity of educational institutions is prohibited, as is the smoking of cigarettes in public places.

Indonesia

MEROKOK DAPAT MENYEBABKAN KANKER, SERANGAN JANTUNG, IMPOTENSI DAN GANGGUAN KEHAMILAN DAN JANIN.
(Smoking can cause cancer, heart attack, impotency and problems during pregnancy as well as affects the health of the newborn. )


Text is written all in capital letters, surrounded by bold border.

Malaysia

New Zealand

The first health warnings appeared on cigarette packets in New Zealand in 1974. Gruesome photographs are also be required to appear on each packet by law as of 2008.

Pakistan

Cigarette packs are required to carry a health warning to the effect "Cigarrete smoking is injurious to your health - Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan".

Portugal

A warning message on a Portuguese pack of Lucky Strike
A warning message on a Portuguese pack of Lucky Strike

Russian Federation

Main:

Additional:

Singapore

"Smoking causes mouth diseases" warning on a empty pack of Marlboro Menthol
"Smoking causes mouth diseases" warning on a empty pack of Marlboro Menthol

For cigarettes exported to Singapore, cigarette manufacturers are required by law to print any one of the warnings below plus the quitline on the packet:

Switzerland

Switzerland has four official languages, but only has warning messages in three languages. Singapore Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation The fourth language, Romansh, is only spoken by 0. Romansh or Romansch may refer to Romansh language Romansh people 5% of the population, and those persons typically speak either German or Italian. The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. Italian ( or lingua italiana) is a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people as a First language, primarily in Italy. The three warning messages below are posted on cigarette packets, cartons and advertisements such as outdoor billboard posters. A pack of Cigarettes is a rectangular container, mostly of Paperboard, which contains cigarettes

South Korea

South Korean Cigarette Pack with Health Warning Message
South Korean Cigarette Pack with Health Warning Message

Taiwan

The warnings in Taiwan all start with the phrase "Warning from the Department of Health, Executive Yuan:" (行政院衛生署警告), and followed by one of the warnings below:

Thailand

In Thailand, a variety of warnings with graphic, disturbing images of tobacco-related harms (including a tracheotomy and rotting teeth) are placed prominently on cigarette packages. Taiwan ( Taiwanese: Tâi-oân/Tāi-oân (historically 大灣/台員/大員/台圓/大圓/台窩灣 is an Island in East Asia. A recent study showed that the warnings made Thai smokers think more often about the health risks of smoking and about quitting smoking. [5]

Turkey

Cigarette pack in Turkey.
Cigarette pack in Turkey. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches

United States of America

Though America started the trend of labelling cigarette packages with health warnings, today the country has one of the smallest, least prominent warnings placed on their packages. [6] Warnings are usually in small typeface placed along one of the sides of the cigarette packs with colors and fonts that closely resemble the rest of the package, so the warnings essentially are integrated and don't stand out with the rest of the cigarette package. [6]

Venezuela

For many years in Venezuela, the only warning in cigarette packs was printed in a very small typeface along one of the sides:

"Se ha determinado que el fumar cigarrillos es nocivo para la salud" (It has been determined that cigarette smoking is harmful to your health)

As of 2007 the following are printed very prominently, along with graphical images, as in Australia and Canada:

References

  1. ^ a b Globo.com
  2. ^ "Film star glamour of cigarette cases hides truth for smokers" The Daily Telegraph, 11/10/2003
  3. ^ RTÉ News - Tobacco warnings to be made bilingual
  4. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/30/nsmoke130.xml Article in The Telgraph, August 31 2007
  5. ^ Evaluating the Effects of Warning Labels on Adult Smokers in Thailand: Findings from the ITC Thailand Survey
  6. ^ a b Dumas, Bethany K. Thrombosis is the formation of a blood Clot ( Thrombus) inside a Blood vessel, obstructing the flow of Blood through the Circulatory For "The Daily Telegraph" in Australia see The Daily Telegraph (Australia. “An Analysis of the Adequacy of Federally Mandated Cigarette Package Warnings. ” Ch. 11 of Language in the Judicial Process, ed. J. N. Levi and A. G. Walker. NY: Plenum Press Corp. , 1990, 309–352. Reprinted Tennessee Law Review 59. 2 (1992), 261–304.

External links


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