"Quit smoking for your loved ones". New cigarette pack warnings
Cigarette packs sold in the Republic of Moldova will be required to display more prominent health warnings, including messages regarding the risks of smoking to children, families, and pregnant women. Parliament passed these changes in the second reading on Thursday, October 8. The new rules apply to both conventional cigarettes and related products—including electronic cigarettes—and aim to provide consumers with clearer information about the health effects of tobacco.
According to the document, warnings must be placed so that they are easily visible. The product name, brand, or other packaging elements must not obscure or reduce the visibility of the messages. Special rules regarding the positioning of text and images apply to certain types of packs.
The list of warnings will be expanded to include messages such as "Smoking causes mouth and throat cancer," "Smoking can kill the unborn child," "Your smoke harms your children, family, and friends," and "Quit smoking – stay alive for your loved ones."
These texts will be part of a warning system that also includes images. The government is set to approve an official gallery of illustrations and messages to be printed on packs of smoking tobacco products.
Authorities aim to make the risks of smoking easier to understand
The Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Public Health—the institutions that drafted the proposal—maintain that clearly and visibly presented information can help people better understand the consequences of tobacco use.
In the explanatory memorandum, the authors explain that the new requirements aim to improve consumer information, including for those intending to quit smoking. The warnings are also viewed as a measure to prevent the uptake of smoking, particularly among young people. At the same time, the authorities aim to reduce public exposure to tobacco smoke and strengthen public health protection. The document states that the proposed measures are justified by the public interest in protecting the population's health and the need to align national legislation with European standards.
The changes are not limited to conventional cigarettes. E-cigarette packs and refill liquid containers must display more detailed information about the products they sell.
Packaging must list ingredients in descending order of quantity, the flavorings used, the amount of nicotine released per dose, and the batch number. The packaging must also display a warning to keep the product out of the reach of children.
Another provision empowers the Government to ban the marketing of certain tobacco products if scientific evidence demonstrates that they contain additives significantly increasing toxicity or addictive potential.
The law also clarifies regulations regarding the advertising, sponsorship, and importation of tobacco and related products.
The authors of the legislation note that these amendments are part of the Republic of Moldova's commitments to harmonize its legislation with that of the European Union in the field of public health protection.
However, the new requirements will not take effect immediately. According to the adopted document, most provisions will enter into force upon the Republic of Moldova's accession to the European Union, while certain provisions will apply earlier, according to the timelines established by the law.
