India expected to delay imposing larger warnings

The Indian government will likely delay the implementation of its notification requiring tobacco products to carry graphic health warnings on 85 percent of the ‘pack surface’, according to a Times of India story relayed by the TMA.

The delay will apparently be used for greater interaction with stakeholders to ensure that the legislation is properly implemented.

The Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation had urged the Ministry of Health to delay the implementation so that it could hold more discussions with stakeholders and submit its ‘final and objective’ report.

The committee said it had received representations from MPs and tobacco-industry stakeholders who were against the proposed notification.

These people and organizations were concerned that it would have an adverse impact on the livelihoods of a large number of people.

The committee said it was it was of the firm opinion that all such concerns needed to be examined before the amendment notification was brought into force.

India’s current tobacco health warnings are required to occupy 40 percent of the ‘pack surface’.