Madagascar issued a decree on December 14, 2010 requiring pictorial health warnings on tobacco packages. Terms for the implementation of the regulations were finalized on September 30, 2011. Cigarette, chewing tobacco and snuff tobacco packages are required to have a health warning cover 65% of the front and back of the package, with a picture on the front and text message on the back. The new warnings are to appear on packages 180 days after the regulations are published in the Official Journal, which should be about April 2012. There are 8 different messages - each with an image warning and an accompanying text message. The messages will be rotated in two batches: the first four messages will appear for 12 months, and then be replaced by the second set of four messages.

Terms such as "light", "ultra-light", "mild" and "flavoured" in Malagasy or in any other language are prohibited on tobacco packages.

Legislation and Regulations

Madagascar's Legislation Library