Section 13June 23, 2003, Sec./Art. 13

Warning On Cigarette Packages - Under this Act:

a. All packages in which tobacco products are provided to consumers withdrawn from the manufacturing facility of all manufacturers or imported into the Philippines intended for sale to the market, starting 1 January 2004, shall be printed, in either English or Filipino, on a rotating basis o separately and simultaneously, the following health warnings:

"GOVERNMENT WARNING; Cigarette are Addictive";

"GOVERNMENT WARNING; Tobacco Can harm your Children"; or

"GOVERNMENT WARNING; Smoking Kills."

b. Upon effectivity of this Act until 30June 2006, the health warning shall be located on one side panel of every tobacco product package and occupy not less than fifty percent (50%) of such side panel including any border of frame.

c. Beginning 1 July 2006, the health warning shall be on the bottom portion of one (1) front panel of every tobacco product package and occupy not less than thirty percent (30%) of such panel including any border or frame. The text of the warning shall appear in clearly legible type in black text on a white background with a black border and in contrasts by typography; layout or color to the other printer materials on the package. The health warning shall occupy a total area of less than fifty percent (50%) of the total warning frame.

d. The warning shall be rotated periodically, or separately and simultaneously printed, so that within any twenty-four (24) month period, the four (4) variations of the warnings shall appear with proportionate frequency.

e. The warning shall not be hidden or obscured by other printed information or images, or printed in a location where tax or fiscal stamps are likely to be applied to the package or placed in a location where it will be damaged when the package is opened. If the warning to be printed on the package is likely to be obscured or obliterated by a wrapper on the package, the warning must be printed on both the wrapper and the package.

f. In addition to the health warning al packages of tobacco products that are provided to consumers shall contain, on one side panel the following statement in a clear, legible and conspicuous manner; "NO SALE TO MINORS" or "NOT FOR SALE TO MINORS." The statement shall occupied an area of not less than ten percent (10%) of such side panel and shall appear in contrast by color, typography or layout with all the other printed material on the side panel.

g. No other printed warnings, except the health warning and the message required in this Section, paragraph F shall be placed on cigarette packages.