Myanmar gears up for graphic health warnings

Cigarette packs sold in Myanmar will shortly carry graphic health warnings, according to a story in The Myanmar Times quoting Health Minister U Than Aung.

“We have drawn up a notification to include health warnings in pictures and text covering 75 percent of a cigarette package on both sides, in accordance with international agreements,” U Than Aung said at a national-level conference on tobacco packaging on Monday.

U Daw Nan Naing Naing Shein, deputy director of the Basic Health Division under the Public Health Department, said the notification had been amended based on suggestions from the Attorney General’s Office and was in the final stages of preparation.

“The notification has been sent to the Ministry of Health and could be enacted after the ministry approves it,” she said.

“We would like it to be approved by the end of this month, but if not then by the end of the year.”

U Daw Nan Naing Naing Shein said the notification would be enacted within six months of approval, which, she added, would give ample time for the graphic images to be distributed to cigarette factories.