New warnings for tobacco products specified by Health Ministry

New Delhi: Amending the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labeling) Rules, 2008, the Union Health Ministry on Friday announced new specific warnings for all tobacco products.

The amended rules will come into effect from December 1 and will remain valid for 12 months.

All tobacco products manufactured, imported or packaged on or after December 1, 2022, will have to display with the textual Health Warning as 'TOBACCO CAUSES PAINFUL DEATH'.

Those manufactured, imported or packaged on or after December 1, 2023, will display another image with the textual health warning 'TOBACCO USERS DIE YOUNGER', IANS reported.

Any person engaged directly or indirectly in the manufacture, production, supply, import or distribution of cigarettes or any tobacco products shall ensure that all packages will have the specified health warnings exactly as prescribed.

The 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, said the Ministry.