Public notice: Specified health warnings to be displayed on all tobacco product packs with effect from 30 November 2008

Public notice: Specified health warnings to be displayed on all tobacco product packs with effect from 30 November 2008

(issued by Government of India and published in national newspapers on 2 November 2008)

As per the notification, SO 2130 (E) dated 27 August 2008, the Central Government has appointed 30 November 2008 as the date on which 'Packaging and Labelling' Rules, 2008, shall come into force.

As per these rules every person engaged directly or indirectly in the production, supply, import or distribution of cigarette or any other tobacco products shall ensure that every package of cigarette or any other tobacco product shall have specified health warnings as prescribed:

- It shall occupy at least forty percent (40%) of the principal display area/s of the pack and;
- shall be positioned parallel to the top edge of the package
- in the same direction as the information on the principal display area/s

- No messages that directly or indirectly promote a specific tobacco brand or tobacco usage in general can be inscribed on the tobacco product package,

- No product shall be sold unless the package contains the specified health warning. The specified health warning shall be printed, pasted or affixed on every retail package as well as any other external packaging, such as cartons, or boxes and will not include other packaging such as gunny bags.

- The specified warnings shall be inscribed in the language used on the pack.

- No tobacco product package or label shall contain any information that is false, misleading, or deceptive, or that is likely or intended to create an erroneous impression about the characteristics, health effects or other hazards of the tobacco product or its emissions.



The Gazette notification vide GSR 182 (E) dated 15 March 2008, SO 2130 (E) dated 27 August 2008 and GSR 693 (E) dated 29 September 2008, are available on www.mohfw.nic.in and the CD's containing pictorial warning images may be obtained from Mr S Padmanabha, Under Secretary (Public Health), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Room no. 521, Wing-A, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi - 110011 (contact phone no. 011 - 2306 1342).

Violation of this provision is a punishable offence with imprisonment which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to Rs 5000 or with both, and for second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to Rs 10,000.

Tobacco products under the Act include cigarettes; cigars; cheroots; bidis; cigarette tobacco; pipe tobacco; and hookah tobacco; chewing tobacco; snuff; pan masala; or any chewing material having tobacco as one of its ingredients (by whatever name called); gutkha, and tooth powder containing tobacco.

Issued in public interest by:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Government of India

(Published in national newspapers on 2 November 2008, to see the scanned copy of the original public notice, click here)