Federal law in the United States requires health warnings to be prominently displayed on tobacco products and their packaging to inform consumers about the serious health risks associated with tobacco use. The warnings below reflect statements required under the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act (FCLAA), the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and implementing FDA regulations. Legal Information Institute +1
General Warnings for Tobacco Products
WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.
This statement is required on all cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, and covered tobacco product packages sold in the United States. It must appear in a prominent and conspicuous location on the main display panel of the package and meet the minimum type size and formatting requirements specified by the FDA. Legal Information Institute
Cigarette Health Warnings
For cigarettes and certain other tobacco products, U.S. law also requires one or more textual warnings addressing health risks. Examples of these required warning statements include the following:
- WARNING: Cigarettes are addictive.
- WARNING: Tobacco smoke can harm your children.
- WARNING: Cigarettes cause fatal lung disease.
- WARNING: Cigarettes cause cancer.
- WARNING: Cigarettes cause strokes and heart disease.
- WARNING: Smoking during pregnancy can harm your baby.
- WARNING: Smoking can kill you.
- WARNING: Tobacco smoke causes fatal lung disease in nonsmokers.
- WARNING: Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health.
These warnings must be displayed on the front and back of cigarette packages and, for many products, in advertising materials according to specific FDA formatting rules.
Cigar and Other Tobacco Product Warnings
Different classes of tobacco products such as cigars may be subject to their own required statements under FDA regulations. For example, cigar packages sold in the U.S. must include statements such as:
- WARNING: Cigar smoking can cause cancers of the mouth and throat, even if you do not inhale.
- WARNING: Cigar smoking can cause lung cancer and heart disease.
- WARNING: Cigars are not a safe alternative to cigarettes.
- WARNING: Tobacco smoke increases the risk of lung cancer and heart disease, even in nonsmokers.
- WARNING: Cigar use while pregnant can harm you and your baby.
Note: FDA warning requirements for certain products (such as cigars and pipe tobacco) have been subject to ongoing regulatory and legal developments. Always follow the latest FDA guidance and applicable legal requirements.
Placement and Format Requirements
Under US law, these warnings must be displayed in a clear, conspicuous, and legible manner that contrasts with other printed material on the product package. For many products, warnings must appear in specified font sizes and locations, such as on prominent display panels of packaging.
Purpose of These Warnings
The purpose of these warnings is to provide consumers with truthful, scientifically supported information about the serious health risks of tobacco use, including addiction, cancer, heart disease, pregnancy complications, and harm to children and non-smokers. They reflect federal public health objectives to reduce tobacco-related disease and death.