Tobacco Product Labelling

In August 2023, Health Canada introduced the Tobacco Products Appearance, Packaging and Labelling Regulations (TPAPLR) that consolidate all tobacco product packaging and labelling requirements under one set of regulations by amending the former Tobacco Products Regulations (Plain and Standardized Appearance) (2019) and repealing the Tobacco Products Information Regulations (TPIR) (2000) and the Tobacco Products Labelling Regulations (Cigarettes and Little Cigars) (TPLR-CLC)(2011).

Graphic tobacco product labelling requirements were first adopted in 2000 (under the repealed TPIR) to increase awareness of the health hazards and health effects associated with tobacco use. The labels combined strong images with messages that were noticeable, informative and credible.

Labelling requirements for cigarettes and little cigar packages were strengthened in September 2011 (under the repealed TPLR-CLC). The requirements included:

• graphic health warnings that covered 75% of the front and back of packages and included a pan-Canadian quit line number and web address;
• health information messages enhanced with colour; and,
• easy to understand toxicity information (formerly "toxic emissions statements").

The TPAPLR expand previous packaging and labelling requirements by mandating the display of health-related messages on packages of all tobacco products on the Canadian retail market to inform the public about the health risks and health hazards associated with tobacco product use, and to prevent the public from being deceived or misled with respect to the health hazards posed by these products. It also mandates health warnings directly on cigarettes, little cigars with tipping paper, and tubes, to better enhance public awareness of the dangers of tobacco smoke, especially for youth who may obtain these products in social situations without seeing the package.

Figure 1 - Text description

Quitting Cigarettes Reduces Risk of Cervical Cancer.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer.

Cigarettes weaken the immune system and make it harder to fight off an HPV infection.

Warning - Cigarette smoke harms babies before and after they are born.

It causes low birth weight and lung problems in babies.

Health Canada

You can quit. We can help.
gosmokefree.gc.ca/quit
1-866-366-3667

• Health Warnings
• Health Information Messages
• Toxicity Information
• Health Warnings on individual cigarettes, little cigars with tipping paper, and tubes

1. Health warnings

Health warnings are prominently displayed on the exterior surface of all tobacco packages and focus on the health hazards associated with tobacco products. On all tobacco product packages, health warnings include a toll-free, pan-Canadian quit line number and web address that link people who smoke to cessation services in their province or territory.

The TPAPLR will alternate two series of health warning messages for all tobacco product packages every two to three years (depending on the product), to keep the health-related messages impactful, noticeable and memorable.

• Health-related messages for all tobacco product packaging – Health warnings on packages

2. Health information messages

Health information messages are found inside cigarette, little cigar and cigarette tobacco packages. They focus primarily on the benefits of quitting and provide tips to help people quit.

The TPAPLR will alternate two series of health information messages every two years for packages of cigarettes, little cigars and cigarette tobacco, to keep the health-related messages impactful, noticeable and memorable.

• Health-related messages for all tobacco product packaging – Health information messages

3. Toxicity information

Toxicity information is displayed on the exterior surface of all tobacco product packages. These short messages focus on the health impacts of toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke or tobacco products.

The TPAPLR will alternate two series of toxicity information messages for all tobacco product packages every two to three years (depending on the product), to keep the health-related messages impactful, noticeable and memorable.

• Health-related messages for all tobacco product packaging – Toxicity information

4. Health Warnings on individual cigarettes, little cigars with tipping paper, and tubes

Health warnings are displayed directly on individual cigarettes, little cigars that have tipping paper, and tubes. In the case of cigarettes without a tipping paper, they are displayed on the cigarette paper extending from one end of the cigarette. These warnings focus on the health hazards associated with tobacco products.

The TPAPLR will alternate two series of these health warnings every two years, to keep the messages impactful, noticeable and memorable.

• Health-related messages for all tobacco product packaging – Health warnings on products