Tobacco products (ICS: 65.160)

Tobacco Products Regulations (Plain and Standardized Appearance); an Order to amend Schedule 1 to the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act with respect to colouring agents; and, consequential amendments to the Tobacco Products Information Regulations (TPIR) and Tobacco Products Labelling Regulations (TPLR). (33 pages, available in English and French)

This proposal includes the creation of the Tobacco Products Regulations (Plain and Standardized Appearance) (PSA) (hereafter referred to as the 'Regulations'). The proposed Regulations include measuresthat would standardize the appearance of tobacco product packages, as well as the appearance of the tobacco products themselves, including the information on tobacco packages and tobacco products. Brand colours, logos and other images would no longer be permitted. This proposal also includes a new Order to amend Schedule 1 to the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act in order to align the ban on the use of colouring agents with the proposed Regulations and also includes consequential amendments to the Tobacco Products Information Regulations (TPIR)and the Tobacco Products Labelling Regulations (TPLR)(Cigarettes and Little Cigars).

The measures proposed for tobacco packages include:

·         Standardize tobacco product package’s overall appearance (e.g. no bevelled edge, embossing, raised lettering, foil stamping and other distinct visual or tactile features on the exterior or interior surfaces of tobacco product packages);

·         Standardize the shape and specify the dimensions for cigarette packages (to only slide and shell format);

·         Require a single ordinary colour (Pantone 448C – a matte, dark, drab brown) on all interior and exterior surfaces of tobacco product packages;

·         Authorize the display of a brand name on the package, in a standard font style (Lucida Sans Serif), size, colour (Pantone Cool Gray 2C) and location;

·         Prohibit the use of colour or filter technology in the brand name;

·         Require a standard font style (Lucida Sans Serif), size and colour (Pantone Cool Gray 2C) for permitted information displayed on packages (e.g. name and address of the manufacturer, net quantity and common name of the product);

·         Specify requirements for little cigar and cigar packages; and,

·         Require plain and standardized packaging for cigarette cases/bags furnished by a tobacco manufacturer.

The measures proposed for the appearance of tobacco products include:

·         Standardize the appearance by only allowing the use of standard colours for cigarettes and other products that can be coloured (including: cigarettes, tubes and a tobacco product that is intended for use with a device (e.g. white or Pantone 448C with a matte finish);

·         Allow the display of an alphanumeric code on the tobacco product (e.g. cigarettes, little cigars, cigars and tobacco products made in whole or in part of tobacco, wrapped in paper and intended for use with a device) and standardize its colour, font style, size, letter combination and placement ;

·         Authorize the display of a standardized brand name on cigar bands in consideration of the fact that these tobacco products are sold or designed to be carried around unpackaged;

·         Require standard colour and prohibit apparent designs (e.g. grooves, hole or recess) on visible parts of cigarette filters;

·         Require cigarettes to be one of two standard lengths, reflecting regular and king size cigarettes; and, Require a standard diameter for cigarettes and little cigars.