From July, 100% Pictorial Warnings Mandatory on Tobacco Packaging

Kathmandu — The Government of Nepal has made it mandatory for tobacco product packaging to display 100% pictorial health warnings, effective from mid-July (Shrawan 1). According to the directive issued by the Ministry of Health and Population, companies producing tobacco products must print warning images covering the entire outer surface of boxes, packets, wrappers, cartons, parcels, and packages.

Ministry spokesperson Dr. Bhakta KC stated that warning images must completely cover both the front and back sides of the outer packaging and include hazard symbols. Six such warning images have already been prepared.

According to the directive, 80% of the outer packaging will display graphic warnings, while the remaining 20% may carry messages like “Tobacco use causes cancer” and similar statements.

The World Health Organization (WHO), in its Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report, highlights graphic warnings on packaging as one of the most impactful measures against tobacco use, under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Currently, 110 countries have made pictorial warnings mandatory, and 25 have adopted plain packaging. Studies show that increasing the size of warning images reduces usage rates, discourages new users, and encourages current users to quit.

Nepal, Dr. KC claims, is the first country in the world to mandate 100% pictorial warnings covering the entire packaging of tobacco products.

However, Anand Bahadur Chand, president of Action Nepal, says that while mandating warning images is a positive step, it alone is insufficient. He argues that raising taxes on tobacco products is also crucial to reducing consumption. Larger and more varied images, he notes, increase awareness and deter use.

Dr. Navin Mishra, a pulmonologist and head of department at Kathmandu Medical College, also welcomes the move but stresses the need for a multidimensional approach. Awareness campaigns, enforcement, and cooperation from all levels of government are essential to reduce consumption, he says.

According to WHO, tobacco use claims about 39,200 lives annually in Nepal, accounting for around 11% of total deaths. Dr. Mishra warns that tobacco in any form harms the body, causing over 20 types of cancer and affecting fertility, respiratory, and other systems. Tobacco use before and during pregnancy, he adds, leads to lower birth weights and shorter life expectancy for newborns.

Even though rules ban tobacco use in schools, public transport, and public spaces, enforcement remains weak.

Who monitors compliance?

Local municipalities are responsible for monitoring whether the directive is implemented. Administrative officers in all 753 municipalities, and assistant chief district officers, have inspection and enforcement powers. If packaging fails to comply, they are authorized to confiscate products and take action.

Global context

WHO’s Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report warns that the tobacco industry continues to undermine control policies, calling for urgent action to maintain and accelerate progress. Globally, tobacco use kills over 7 million people annually.

WHO recommends six proven measures to curb use:

1. Monitor use and prevention policies.

2. Protect people from smoke through smoke-free laws.

3. Offer help to quit.

4. Warn through packaging and mass media campaigns.

5. Enforce bans on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

6. Raise taxes on tobacco products.

Since 2007, 155 countries have implemented at least one of these measures at the highest level. However, only four countries have fully implemented all six, while over 40 have not implemented even one effectively, and 30 still allow tobacco sales without mandatory warnings.