TOBACCO PRODUCTS – LABELLING AND PACKAGING
(Chapters II and III of Directive 2014/40/EU)
Each unit packet and any outside packaging of tobacco products for smoking must include one of the following general warnings: “Smoking kills – quit now”
Each unit packet and any outside packaging must also bear the information message: “Tobacco smoke contains over 70 substances known to cause cancer.”
All unit packets and any outside packaging must include combined health warnings. These warnings:
- Include one of the text warnings listed in Annex I and a corresponding colour photograph from Annex II image library
- Contain cessation support details such as telephone numbers, websites, or email addresses providing information for those wishing to quit smoking
For electronic cigarettes and refill containers, the following information is required:
- Contact details of the manufacturer or importer and the legal or natural contact person within the EU
- Usage and storage instructions including warnings that the product is not recommended for young people and non-smokers
- Contraindications
- Warnings for specific risk groups
- Possible adverse effects
- Dependency and toxicity properties
- List of all ingredients in descending order by mass, nicotine content, dose delivery information, batch number, and child safety warning
- Health warning: “This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.”
For smokeless tobacco products:
- Health warning: “This tobacco product damages your health and is addictive.”
For herbal products for smoking:
- Warning message: “Smoking this product damages your health.”
Annual Reporting Obligation
Manufacturers and importers of e-cigarettes or refill containers must submit an annual report to the competent authorities including:
- Comprehensive data on sales volumes by brand and type of product
- Consumer preferences, including data on young people, non-smokers, and current user groups
- Information on product sales formats
- Summaries of any market research conducted under the points above, with English translations where applicable
The report must be submitted electronically by 31 March of the year following the reporting year.
