The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released new images to be included as graphic health warnings on tobacco products starting September 1.
According to a News18.com story relayed by the TMA, last week, the Supreme Court said that tobacco products would continue to carry graphic warnings covering 85 percent of the packaging space.
The government apparently released two separate set of images, the first of which will be used on tobacco products for 12 months beginning September 1, with the second to be used subsequently.
‘All tobacco products manufactured or imported or packaged on or after 1st September 2018 shall display Image-1 and those manufactured or imported or packaged on or after 1st September 2019 shall display Image-2,’ the ministry said in a statement.
‘Any person engaged directly or indirectly in the production, supply, import or distribution of cigarettes or any tobacco products shall ensure that all tobacco product packages shall have the specified health warnings exactly as prescribed.’
Violation of the provision is a punishable offence with imprisonment or fine as prescribed in Section 20 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.
New warnings in India
