Security feature
Packets of cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco supplied to consumers on the Swedish market must bear security features consisting of at least five authentication elements. The security feature, composed of visible and invisible elements, enables the authorities and consumers to verify the products authenticity.
Authentication element
The following five authentication elements shall be used in combination with each other and shall be included in the security feature that shall be shown on tobacco products that shall be sold to consumers in Sweden.
Overt elements
- Guilloche – an ornamental pattern consisting of two or more interlaced bands.
- Colour-changing ink– element that change in colour when looked at from different angles.
Semi-covert elements
- Microprint - very small text that requires magnification to become readable.
- Ultraviolet ink (UV printing) on UV dull paper –that will show up under special UV lamps.
Covert elements
- Anti-Stokes ink – that can only be identified with special equipment.
At least one of the authentication elements must be supplied by an independent third-party supplier in accordance with Article 3.2 of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/576.
Regulations
The regulations on which the information is based, can be found in the following links:
Chapter 3 Sections 7-11 Act (2018:2088) on tobacco and similar products (riksdagen.se) (in Swedish)
Chapter 3 Sections 3-8 Regulation 2019:223 On tobacco and similar products (riksdagen.se) (in Swedish)
As an actor who deals in tobacco, you always have an obligation to know what applies by law. The information on this website is intended solely to help you, and does not replace what is written in the law. There may also be other laws or regulations from other authorities that you must be aware of. The Public Health Agency continuously updates the content, but we cannot guarantee that the information on the page is always completely up to date.
