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Factsheet 4. Tobacco labelling and packaging

 

        


KEY FACTS

• Smokers tend to underestimate the health risks of tobacco use.
• Effective health warnings on cigarette packs encourage smokers to quit and discourage non-smokers from starting.
• Effective health warnings include shocking pictures, are large, and use strong, clear and specific language.
• 20 jurisdictions – under 9% of the world’s population – require picture warnings that cover 50% or more of the main package display surfaces.
• About half of the world’s population lives where misleading terms such as ‘light’ and ‘low-tar’ are not adequately restricted.
• Article 11 of the FCTC requires parties to implement strong pack warnings and to ban the use of misleading descriptors
such as ‘low tar’, ‘light’, and ‘mild’ and any design features associated with them.

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