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 COMMUNIQUÉ  ON WARNING MESSAGES TO BE AFFIXED ON THE 
PACKAGING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES  
 
 
 
Purpose  
ARTICLE  1- This Communiqué  has been prepared to regulate the matters concerning health 
warnings to be affixed on the packaging of alcoholic beverages as provide d for in the eighth 
paragraph of Article 6 of the Law No. 4250 as amended by the Law No. 6487 of 11/06/2013.  
 
Procedures and principles concerning warning messages  
ARTICLE  2- The following three graphical warning messages and one text warning message 
shall be used all together in the inner and outer packaging excepting the bottom of alcoholic 
beverages authorised for placing on the market:  
 
 
 
 
(1)  
 
 
 
(2)  
 
 
 
(3)  
 
 
(4) Alcohol is not your friend . 
 
These warning messages shall hereinafter be referred by the numbers adjacent to the messages 
above.  
 
Alcoholic beverages not carrying warning messages may not be placed on or sold in the 
internal market.  
 
Warning messages may not in any manner be hidden, covered up or cut off. Banderoles, 
stamps or similar addi tions may not be written on them. Warnings must be printed as fixed 
and indelible.  
 
The text shall be in regular statement format with numerals bold, other parts in lower case 
letters with the initial capitalized.  
 
Affixation of warning messages  
ARTICLE  3-  
a) Form of affixation : 
 They shall be affixed directly onto the packaging, onto the stickers affixed directly 
onto the packaging or onto the label.  
 They shall be placed on an easily visible spot, as clearly legible black text on white 
background.  
 
b) Fonts must  be 
 Helvetica,  
 Normal,  
 In single line and with standard character spacing.  
 
c) Font size must not be  smaller than  
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  14 points for warning messages to be affixed onto the outer packaging;  
 12 points for products with packaging volume of greater than 100 cl ; 
 10 p oints for products with packaging volume between 70 (included) – 100 cl 
(included);  
 9 points for products with packaging volume between 50 (included) – 70 cl;  
 8 points for products with packaging volume between 35 (included) – 50 cl;  
 7.5 points for product s with packaging volume between 20 (included) – 35 cl;  
 7 points for products with packaging volume between 10 (included) – 20 cl;  
 6 points for products with packaging volume smaller than 10 cl.  
 
d) The total area of the warning message and the dimension of ea ch warning message 
must not be smaller than the following figures:  
 
 For outer packaging ; 
Total area : 30.0 square centimetres , 
Bottom length for warning message no.1 : 2.5 centimetres , height : 2.2 centimetres , 
Diameter for warning messages no.2 and 3 : 2.2 centimetres , 
 
 For products with packaging volume of greater than 100 cl ; 
Total area : 26.0 square centimetres , 
Bottom length for warning message no.1 : 2.0 centimetres , height : 1.8 centimetres , 
Diameter for warning messages no.2 and 3 : 2.1 centimetres , 
 
 For pr oducts with packaging volume between 70 (included) – 100 cl (included);  
Total area : 18.0 square centimetres , 
Bottom length for warning message no.1 : 1.6 centimetres , height : 1.5 centimetres , 
Diameter for warning messages no.2 and 3 : 1.7 centimetres , 
 
 For p roducts with packaging volume between 50 (included) – 70 cl;  
Total area : 14.0 square centimetres , 
Bottom length for warning message no.1 : 1.6 centimetres , height : 1.5 centimetres , 
Diameter for warning messages no.2 and 3 : 1.7 centimetres , 
 
 For products wit h packaging volume between 35 (included) – 50 cl;  
Total area : 11.0 square centimetres , 
Bottom length for warning message no.1 : 1.3 centimetres , height : 1.2 centimetres , 
Diameter for warning messages no.2 and 3 : 1.4 centimetres , 
 
 For products with packaging  volume between 20 (included) – 35 cl;  
Total area : 9.5 square centimetres , 
Bottom length for warning message no.1 : 1.2 centimetres , height : 1.1 centimetres , 
Diameter for warning messages no.2 and 3 : 1.2 centimetres , 
 
 For products with packaging volume betw een 10 (included) – 20 cl;  
Total area : 9.0 square centimetres , 
Bottom length for warning message no.1 : 1.2 centimetres , height : 1.05 centimetres , 
Diameter for warning messages no.2 and 3 : 1.1 centimetres , 
 
 For products with packaging volume smaller than 10  cl; 
Total area : 7.0 square centimetres , 
Bottom length for warning message no.1 : 0.9 centimetre , height : 0.8 centimetre , 
Diameter for warning messages no.2 and 3 : 0.7 centimetre . 
 
In addition, each warning message and the total area of the warning message  
 Must be outlined in a line of flag red colour not thinner than 1mm and not thicker 
than 2 mm. The outline must be such that it shall not interfere with the text of the 
warning message.  
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 Examples of warning messages that may be used in various packaging siz es are provided in 
the Annex.  
 
Placing on the market  
ARTICLE  4- The packaging of alcoholic beverages shall be made compliant within ten 
months from the publication of th is Communiqué ; those not compliant may not be placed on 
the market from this date.  
 
Entry into force  
ARTICLE  5- This Communiqué shall enter into force on the date of publication.  
 
Execution  
ARTICLE  6 – The President of the Tobacco and Alcohol Regulatory Authority shall execute 
this Communiqué.  
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 ANNEX  
Example Affixations of Warning Messages  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  Outer packaging : 
30 cm2
 
Greater than 100 cl:  
26 cm2
 
Between 70 (included)  - 100 cl (included) : 
18 cm2  
Between 50 (included)  - 70 cl:  
14 cm2
 
Between 35 (included)  - 50 cl:  
11 cm2  
Between 20 (included)  - 35 cl:  
9.5 cm2  
Between 10 (included)  - 20 cl:  
9 cm2 
Smaller than 10 cl:  
7 cm2 Alcohol is not your friend  
Alcohol is not your friend  
Alcohol is not your friend  
Alcohol is not your 
friend  
Alcohol is not your friend  
Alcohol is not your  friend  
Alcohol is not your friend  
Alcohol is not your friend