More space for "Warning"Top Stories

October 16, 2014 09:57
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Tobacco companies in India will have to stamp health warnings across 85 percent of the surface of cigarette packs and other products, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday, joining nations such as Thailand and Australia with stringent marketing rules.

The new rules take effect from April 1 next year and mandate printed warnings on the front and back of the packages, the ministry said.

Besides illustrations showing the negative effects of smoking, packets will be required to carry the word "WARNING" with pictorial warnigs and the phrase "Smoking causes throat cancer", the Health Ministry said. Similar warnings would be required on other tobacco products.

"(This) will tell each and everyone, including potential users of cigarettes, that tobacco means nothing else except death," Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said.

ITC Ltd, India's biggest cigarette maker, and Godfrey Phillips, another manufacturer, declined to comment on the Health Ministry's notification.

Tobacco control activist Shailesh Vaite welcomed the packaging move, saying it would deter people from consuming tobacco products. However he called for more steps, including higher taxes and a ban on advertising at counters selling them.


(Aw : Arun kumar)

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