New Specific Health Warning on Tobacco Products Packs

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, 2008vide GSR 331(E) dated 3^rd April 2018 “Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labeling) Second Amendment Rules, 2018”. The amended Rules will be applicable w.e.f. 1^st September 2018.

The new set of specified health warnings shall be-

Image-1, which shall be valid for a period of twelve months following its commencement from 1^st September, 2018.

Image-2, which shall come into effect following the end of twelve months from the date of commencement of specified health warning of Image-1.

The images, details of the specified health warnings and the Rules are available atwww.mohfw.gov.in. The open files of the images have already been obtained by many tobacco product manufacturers/traders from the Ministry by making a request at ntcp.mohfw@gmail.com and /or 011-23062868

In view of the above, it is informed that;

All tobacco products manufactured or imported or packaged on or after 1^st September, 2018 shall display Image -1 and those manufactured or imported or packaged on or after 1^st September, 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.

Violation of the above mentioned 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.