Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Ministry of Health informed yesterday that the Tobacco Regulation (Labelling) 2007 has come into force from Dec 1, 2008, which requires all cigarette and tobacco product packets sold in the country to have pictorial warning labels.

The prohibition notice of selling the products to those aged 18 years and below and the level of tar and nicotine contents must also be printed on the packets.

As a member of Framework Convention for Tobacco Control of the World Health Organisation (FCTC, WHO), Brunei is required to ensure that all tobacco producers print big and clear health warning labels including pictures.

Brunei is the third country in the Mean region that has made the pictorial warning label on tobacco products mandatory.

Tobacco importers were given seven months'

grace period from April 30, 2008 to print new product boxes.

With the expiry of the grace period and the new Order coming into force, the regulations of 2005 Tobacco Order and 2007 Tobacco Regulation, which came into effect on June 1, 2008, are now completed.

It is hoped that the enforcement of warning labels would reduce the use of tobacco in Brunei and help the public to practise a healthy lifestyle. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin