Abstract: A high barrier sealable packaging material and a high barrier heat sealed package for smoking articles, such as cigarettes and the like, are disclosed. The packaging material comprises a base layer of a polymeric film, such as a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film which has been metallized on one surface thereof with a layer of metal, such as aluminum. The metallized film is then imprinted with ink with a design and/or printed matter on either the metallized or unmetallized surface. Subsequently to or concurrently with the printing, a heat seal layer is applied to the printed and/or unprinted surface for forming a heat seal about which the material is wrapped. In one embodiment, the high barrier packaging material is used as an overwrap for a cigarette package having a tear tape for removing one end of the overwrap.