Cigarette package warning labels

The health warnings on cigarettes packages are required under the world-precedent setting Tobacco Products Information Regulations, which were adopted in 2000 under the Tobacco Act passed by the Canadian Parliament in 1997.

The new warnings cover the top 50% of the front and back of the package and include pictures of a diseased mouth, a lung tumour, a brain after a stroke, a damaged heart and a limp cigarette as part of an impotence warning. Additional messages are inside the cigarette package, including tips on quitting smoking.

High resolution electronic copies of warnings from Health Canada

Manufacturers of cigarettes with more than 2% market share (about 50% of the market) were required to have the warnings on packages as of December 23, 2000 at the manufacturer level. Manufacturers of remaining brands were required to place the warnings on packages by June 26, 2001.

Last modified on: 10 December 2009