Request image files for labeling tobacco packaging or cigarette packets with text image warnings

As a manufacturer or importer of cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, and hookah tobacco, you must print text image warnings on your cigarette and tobacco packaging. You can obtain the image files from the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety.

Manufacturers and importers of cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and water pipe tobacco are legally obliged to label the packaging of their products with information.

These warnings consist of a health warning with an accompanying image. One example is: "Smoking causes fatal lung cancer" with a picture of a lung carcinoma.

As a mandatory labeling element, the pictorial warnings must take up two thirds of the front and back of the packaging. They are placed in addition to other general information and warnings such as "Smoking is deadly".

The image library for the design of the packaging with health warnings for smoking tobacco products is not publicly available. As a tobacco company, you can request the files from the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).

The image files may only be used for labeling purposes in accordance with the European Commission's usage regulations. If you use the image files, you must observe the technical specifications for the layout, design and form of the warnings, for example the black border.

You may need to submit a power of attorney.

• You import or manufacture cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and water pipe tobacco.
• You only use the image files for the intended purpose.

No legal remedies are provided.

You can request the high-resolution image files for the warning notices online or by post.

• Online procedure
  • Complete the online form and select the type of delivery. You can choose between sending the DVD by post or downloading it.
  • After logging into your organization account, you can submit the form.
• By post
  • You can find the form on the website of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), fill it out online or download it first.
  • Print out the completed form, sign it, stamp it and send it by post to the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).
• The BVL will check whether your application is complete and whether your company is entitled to receive the text/image warnings.
• After a positive check, you will receive the image files as a DVD by post or by download.

There are no costs for you.

You must be authorized to receive the files. The European Commission's conditions of use must be observed.