New specified health warnings on tobacco product packs

News: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare amended Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules, 2008.

Facts:

• New sets of specified health warnings for all tobacco product packs has been notified by the amendment.
• All tobacco products manufactured or imported or packaged on or after September 1, shall display the first images
• Those manufactured or imported or packaged on or after September 1, 2021 shall display the second image.
• Violation of the provision is a punishable offence under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.

Additional Facts:

Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA)

• It prohibits advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products in India.
• Smoking in public places (including indoor workplaces) is prohibited.
• Pictorial warnings: Pictorial warnings on both sides of packages of cigarettes, bidis and all forms of chewing tobacco products is compulsory and currently covers 85% of the packet.