How Cigarette and Tobacco Health Warnings Work in Australia
Australian tobacco products carry prominent health warnings designed to communicate the serious consequences of smoking.
The current system includes packaging warnings, health-information inserts and messages printed directly on individual cigarettes.
Graphic Health Warnings
All tobacco products sold or supplied in Australia must display the prescribed health warnings on their retail packaging.
Different types of tobacco packaging have specific requirements covering:
- Which warning images must be used
- Where the warnings must appear
- How large the warnings must be
- How the warnings must be rotated
For cigarette packs and cartons, graphic health warnings must cover at least 75% of the front and 90% of the back. A prescribed warning must also appear on one side.
The required warning images must be used as evenly as possible when cigarettes are supplied.
Health-Promotion Inserts
Cigarette packs and loose processed-tobacco packaging must contain health-promotion inserts.
These are information cards designed to:
- Explain the benefits of quitting
- Provide practical quitting strategies
- Identify available support services
- Encourage people to seek professional assistance
The inserts form part of Australia’s mandatory tobacco health-information system and cannot be replaced with promotional material.
Messages on Individual Cigarettes
Australian cigarettes also carry health messages printed on the paper covering the filter.
There are eight prescribed on-product messages. Each cigarette must show the applicable message on opposite sides of its filter.
These messages are intended to make health information visible each time a cigarette is handled, rather than only when the pack is first opened.
Can Retailers Alter the Warnings?
No. Retailers must not remove, cover, distort or modify mandatory health warnings.
Tobacco products must be supplied in compliant packaging even when they are sold online or stored where customers cannot see them before purchase.
Smoking causes serious disease, and tobacco products are addictive. People considering quitting can contact Quitline on 13 7848 or speak with a doctor or pharmacist.