New pictorial warning for tobacco products issued, to be used from Sept 1

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry issued enhanced pictorial warnings to be printed on packets of cigarette and other tobacco products, highlighting the ill-effects of tobacco consumption, according to an official statement.

These new pictorial warnings will be used from September 1.

The government released two separate set of images. The first set will be used on tobacco products from September 1, 2018, for a period of 12 months, after which the second set of images will be used.

"The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has notified new sets of specified health warnings for all tobacco product packs by making an amendment in the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labeling) Rules and Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labeling) Second Amendment Rules, 2018, the statement said.

The amended rules will be applicable with effect from September 1, 2018, it said.

According to the statement, "All tobacco products manufactured or imported or packaged on or after September 1, 2018, shall display Image -1 and those manufactured or imported or packaged on or after September 1, 2019, shall display Image-2."

"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," it said.

The statement also said 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.