The United States currently requires that one of four rotating text health warnings appear on the side panel of all cigarette packages and advertisements. Smokeless tobacco packages are also required to carry warning label statements that cover 30% of the two principal sides of the package. Tobacco companies are prohibited from making reduced harm claims like “light,” “low,” or “mild” unless authorized by the FDA.
In June 2009, the US Congress passed legislation under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act) requiring new larger health warnings to appear on cigarette packages. In June 2011, the FDA published a final rule requiring that color graphics depicting the negative health consequences of smoking should accompany new textual warning statements. The health warnings were originally scheduled to appear on packages by September 2012, however, the final rule was challenged in court by several tobacco companies. The United States Court of Appeals vacated the rule, and denied the government’s petition for panel rehearing. The government decided not to seek further review of the Court’s ruling.
Health Warning Reports, Publications & Presentations
United States’ Health Warning Document Library
Plain Packaging Reports, Publications & Presentations
United States’ Plain Packaging Document Library
Tobacco Package Images
United States’ Cigarette Package Gallery
Health Warnings
1984 to Present**
Warnings Proposed by FDA in 2011
Other Warnings Used in Testing and Development – November 10, 2010**
WARNING: Cigarettes are addictive.
WARNING: Tobacco smoke can harm your children.
WARNING: Cigarettes cause fatal lung disease.
WARNING: Cigarettes cause cancer.
WARNING: Cigarettes cause strokes and heart disease.
WARNING: Smoking during pregnancy can harm your baby.
WARNING: Smoking can kill you.
WARNING: Tobacco smoke causes fatal lung disease in nonsmokers.
WARNING: Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health.
** The images contained in this gallery are subject to American copyright laws. Any duplication, reproduction, or use without the express consent of said party is prohibited. Countries should be contacted individually for usage of images.
United States
