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  • Nepal Goes All-In on Health Packaging

    Nepal Goes All-In on Health Packaging

    The Global Tobacco Treaty (formally called the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control or WHO FCTC) called on governments to implement strong pictorial health warnings to “help save lives from deadly tobacco.” Nepal took that to heart, announcing that beginning August 17, all cigarette packs will be required to have 100% pictorial health warnings on both the front and back of the packaging.

    Since 2014, Nepal had 90% graphic health warnings on both sides of its packaging, the most in the world behind only Timor-Leste and Turkiye, which both had 85% coverage on the front and 100% on the back. In August Nepal will move to No. 1.

    “Nepal has set a global benchmark by adopting 100% pictorial health warnings on tobacco packaging,” said Dr. Tara Singh Bam, Asia Pacific Director (Tobacco Control) Vital Strategies. “This policy is a powerful tool to prevent smoking among youth and children, encourage tobacco users to quit, and raise public awareness about the dangers of tobacco use. It is a highly cost-effective intervention that not only saves lives and reduces healthcare costs, but also helps to denormalize tobacco in our communities. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the strong political commitment and timely actions of the Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal.”

  • Supreme Court Won’t Hear Graphic Warning Challenge

    Supreme Court Won’t Hear Graphic Warning Challenge

    The U.S. Supreme Court won’t hear a challenge to a federal requirement that cigarette packages and advertising include graphic images demonstrating the effects of smoking.

    The nation’s top court declined to hear the case in a brief written order handed down Monday.

    R.J. Reynolds appealed to the high court after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the warnings do not violate the First Amendment, the AP reports.

    They include pictures of smoke-damaged lungs, feet blackened by diminished blood flow and a picture of a woman with an immense growth on her neck and the caption “WARNING: Smoking causes head and neck cancer.”

    Nearly 120 countries worldwide have adopted more prominent, graphic warning labels. Studies from those countries suggest that image-based labels are more effective than text warnings at publicizing smoking risks and encouraging smokers to quit. The U.S. has not updated its labels since 1984.

    It’s not clear when new labels might appear. Some legal claims remain, and the FDA has said it doesn’t plan to enforce any new requirements until at least December 2025.

  • Myanmar to Implement Standardized Packaging

    Myanmar to Implement Standardized Packaging

    Photo: Taco Tuinstra

    Myanmar is set to implement the Standardized Packaging Notification that was issued by the country’s Ministry of Health Oct. 12, 2021, according to Eco-Business.

    The notification will go into effect April 10, 2022, followed by a 90-day phase out period for old tobacco packaging; old packaging must be phased out by July 12, 2022.

    New packaging must be a standardized dull dark brown color, be flat, smooth and devoid of any attractive colors, designs or decorative elements. Pictorial health warnings are required to cover 75 percent of the packaging’s front and back surfaces. Tobacco product packages include boxes, cases, cartons, etc.

    “With standardized packaging, Myanmar will be implementing a highly effective public health policy that will help denormalize tobacco use,” said Ulysses Dorotheo, executive director of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance. “We look forward to the full and strict implementation of this regulation and call on the government to swiftly identify and penalize any tobacco company that does not comply by the April 10 deadline.”

    “Standardized packaging is a cost-effective and strategic way to discourage tobacco use; it prevents the tobacco industry from using packaging to attract consumers in a creative but deceptive way. Pictorial health warnings more effectively convey to the public the dangers of tobacco use,” said Dorotheo.