Japan seeks bigger health warnings

Japan’s Finance Ministry is due to consider whether cigarette manufacturers should be required to include on their products more prominent warnings about the possible negative health impacts of smoking, according to a story in The Japan Times.

A ministry advisory panel has been asked to discuss tobacco-product health warnings and deliver a report in May or June after hearing opinions from tobacco-industry representatives and other experts.

The ministry plans to have the relevant law revised as early as this year following receipt of the panel’s report.

At present, the government requires that health warnings cover 30 percent or more of the main surfaces of tobacco products.

The World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control says that warnings should occupy ‘50 percent or more of the principal display areas, but shall be no less than 30 percent’.