Is it necessary to clearly indicate the number of cigarettes on the cigarette pack label in Vietnam?

Is it necessary to clearly indicate the number of cigarettes on the cigarette pack label in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 15 of the Law on Tobacco harm prevention in 2012 stipulating labeling and printing health warnings on tobacco packages as follows:

1. Tobacco manufactured or imported in Vietnam for sale must be labeled and printed with health warnings on their packages.

2. Tobacco manufactured or imported in Vietnam for sale must be labeled in Vietnamese in accordance with the law on goods labeling, and satisfy the following requirements:

a/ Printing health warnings in text and graphics which are clear and interpretable;

b/ Sticking stamps or printing number codes and bar codes; printing the date of manufacture and date of expiry;

c/ Printing clearly the quantity of cigarettes on cigarette packs, or the weight on other tobacco;

d/ Not using words and phrases that make readers and users believe that tobacco is of little harm, or incorrectly understand the harms of tobacco and smoke to human health.

3. Health warnings printed on tobacco packages must particularly describe the harms of tobacco use to human health and other suitable messages, and must be changed once every two years.

4. Heath warnings prescribed in Point a, Clause 2 of this Article must occupy at least 50% of the front and rear of a tobacco pack, carton or box.

5. The labeling of tobacco packages for export shall be made in accordance with the requirements of importing countries.

6. The Minister of Health shall be in charge and cooperate with the Minister of Industry and Trade in issuing specific regulations on the labeling and printing of health warnings for tobacco as prescribed in Clauses 2, 3 and 4 of this Article.

7. The Government shall specify the increase of the areas for printing health warnings suitable to each period.

When your company labels cigarette packs, in addition to the above requirements, it is mandatory to clearly indicate the number of cigarettes in the pack. If the number of cigarettes is not clearly indicated on the cigarette pack label, you will be subject to administrative sanctions.

Is it necessary to clearly indicate the number of cigarettes on the cigarette pack label in Vietnam? - Source: Internet

What is the fine for not clearly indicating the number of cigarettes on the cigarette pack label in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Clause 1 and 4, Article 27 of the Decree 117/2020/NĐ-CP stipulating violations against regulations on labeling and printing of health warnings on tobacco packages as follows:

1. A fine ranging from VND 20.000.000 to VND 30.000.000 shall be imposed for commission of one of the following violations:

a) Failing to comply with the prescribed form, position, area and color of the health warning printed on tobacco packages;

b) Failing to change the health warning printed on tobacco packages for every 2 years as prescribed by law;

c) Failing to indicate the quantity of cigarettes on each cigarette pack or the weight on other tobacco products;

d) Using words or phrases that mislead readers or users into believing that tobacco only causes little harm, or cause them to misunderstand the harms of tobacco and tobacco smoke to human health.

4. Remedial measures:

a) The entity committing the violation in Clause 1 or Point a Clause 2 of this Article is compelled to recall tobacco products and rectify or remove violating elements. If violating elements cannot be rectified, tobacco products shall be destroyed.

b) The violating entity is compelled to return any benefits illegally obtained from the commission of the violation in Point b Clause 2 of this Article.

Pursuant to Clause 5 Article 4 of the Decree 117/2020/NĐ-CP stipulating as follows:

5. The fines prescribed in Chapter II hereof are imposed on violating individuals. The fine imposed on an organization is twice as much as that imposed on an individual for the same administrative violation.

Therefore, your company will be fined from VND 40,000,000 to VND 60,000,000 if you do not clearly indicate the number of cigarettes on the cigarette pack label. In addition, all cigarette packs that your company does not clearly indicate the number of cigarettes will be recalled and forced to be re-produced with the correct information.

Best regards!