Tobacco packets not bearing the prescribed pictorial warnings would be seized: Officials

While the Centre has made 85 per cent pictorial health warnings mandatory on both sides of tobacco products from April 1, 2016, the Union Health Ministry has alerted all the government departments to strictly implement the rule. Officials said the tobacco packets not bearing the prescribed pictorial warnings would be seized by the concerned authorities before reaching the market.

Health ministry has written to departments of revenue, commerce, external affairs, labour, civil aviation, tourism to ensure effective implementation of the new specified health warnings on cigarettes and other tobacco products. The new health warnings shall be depicted on both sides of the tobacco product packages covering 85 per cent of the principal display and will apply to all types of tobacco products produced, supplied or distributed in India.

The Health Ministry has said the field formations of Customs and Excise should be duly informed and sensitised about the new warnings and it should be ensured that all the product packs which leave the factory after April 1 bear the new pictorial warnings. “The date of implementation of these rules has been notified vide G.S.R 739 (E) dated 24th September, 2015 to be with effect from April 1, 2016. Effective implementation of the rules depends on concerted efforts of all the concerned Ministries and Departments of the government of India as well as State Governments,” stated the letter issued on Monday by KC Samria, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry.

The Health Ministry has said airlines, shipping lines, freight forwarders and consolidators should be sensitised so that they also check that tobacco consignments(s) destined for India comply with this law. The sales affected through the duty free shops within India, would also need to comply with these rules. The ministry has asked for necessary instructions issued to them.

“The new health warnings also apply to imported cigarettes and other tobacco products for sale in India. It is therefore necessary that the rules are brought to the notice of all Indian Missions abroad including Trade Associations and Federations of other countries, so that trade consignments destined for India are compliant with the rules,” the letter stated.