Pictorial Health Warnings On Tobacco Products

all tobacco products manufactured in India are required to display pictorial health warnings of a scorpion and diseased lungs, covering at least forty per cent of the principal display area of the pack with text warnings in English and other regional languages, under a measure that took effect on May 31, 2009.The directive requires cigarette and packs to carry the warning “Smoking Kills,” while manufacturers of smokeless tobacco products such as gutka and pan masala have to print “Tobacco Kills” on the packs in white font on a red background. The Group of Ministers, which was established by the government to consider the feasibility of implementing graphic health warnings, have decided to use “mild pictures” of “TB-affected lungs” and a “scorpion” – depicting death – to discourage tobacco use. The ministers also agreed to make the “skull and cross bones” optional following criticism from tobacco manufacturers and a religious minority group(courtesy http://beta.thehindu.com/arts/magazine/article441129.ece)

"According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India records about 800,000 tobacco deaths every year or 2,200 deaths a day. The pictorial warnings are a big breakthrough. They will help in sensitising people about tobacco hazards and new tobacco consumers will think twice before taking these products," Bhavna Mukhopadhaya of Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) said