Muscat – Plain packaging removes all claims, designs, and promotional signs from tobacco products, while retaining the brand name under specific regulations regarding colour, font type, and size.

Producers and importers of tobacco products were given a 16-month grace period to comply with the new regulations and dispose of existing stock, with the deadline set for the end of April 2024.
This move follows guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), which advocates for plain packaging as a means to curb tobacco use by restricting logos, colours, and promotional information on packaging, except for standardized brand and product names.

The implementation of plain packaging aims to diminish the appeal of tobacco products, counter tobacco packaging as a form of advertising, and prevent misleading information that may suggest certain products are less harmful than others. Additionally, it enhances the visibility and impact of health warnings, aligning with the larger goal of safeguarding public health by reducing tobacco consumption.
Under the new regulations, tobacco packaging must not include any information about its contents, such as nicotine or tar levels, and must refrain from making claims about taste, smell, additives, or their absence. Health warnings covering at least 65 percent of the package’s surface, including text, images, and messages, are also mandatory.

Studies endorsed by the WHO have shown that plain packaging effectively reduces tobacco consumption among adolescents and young people. Furthermore, it diminishes the attractiveness of tobacco products, combats packaging as a promotional tool, and enhances the effectiveness of health warnings.
Violators of the plain packaging standards face fines of RO 1,000, with penalties doubled for repeat offenses.