The Environmental Health Directorate within the Superintendence of Public Health is once again reminding all tobacco traders particularly tobacco retailers on their obligation to comply with Legal Notice 302 of 2009 to avoid legal action being instituted against them.

Following the coming into force on the 27th April, 2011 on cigarette packets, this Directorate wishes to inform all tobacco traders that all other tobacco products, including water pipe tobacco commonly known as Shisha, that are placed on the market on and after the 27th October, 2011 are to include a combined health warning.

This Directorate wishes to draw the attention of all tobacco traders that with respect to tobacco products other than cigarettes, the combined health warnings may be affixed as stickers, provided that such stickers are irremovable. It is to be clarified that affixing a sticker on a plastic covering that has to be removed in order to make use of the product is considered as not being irremovable. The reproduction of the combined health warnings on the stickers shall be in accordance with the technical specifications for printing as per Schedule 1 to Legal Notice 302 of 2009. Traders are also being reminded that tobacco packaging is defined by legislation as any form of unit packet and any outside packaging used in the retail sale of tobacco products, with the exception of additional transparent wrappers.

For further information, tobacco traders are kindly requested to contact the Health Inspectorate Services between 8:00am until 2:30pm on telephone number 21337333, or by calling personally at its offices at 37/39, Rue D’Argens, Msida or by email mhi@gov.mt

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