Some support for India’s 85 percent health warnings

Over 500 organizations have written to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi supporting the imposition of 85 percent graphic warnings on all tobacco packs from April 1, according to a DNA India story.

Representatives of women’s groups, youth associations, hospitals, self-help groups and voluntary organizations were said to be among those who sent 4,000 signed letters to Modi.

A number of international public health organizations working on tobacco control and cancer issues had earlier written to Modi and the Health Minister J P Nadda about the issue.

Tobacco manufacturers were informed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in October that they would be required to apply the warnings.

The manufacturers have asked the government to reconsider its order to have the warnings cover 85 percent of both faces of packs.