The Central Government has notified specified health warnings for mandatory display on all tobacco product packages covering least 85% of the principal display, Rules of which have come into force w.e.f December 1, 2020.
There has been one common specified health warnings for both smoking and smokeless forms of tobacco products.
This shall be valid for a period of twelve month from December 1, 2020. The word “TOBACCO CAUSES PAINFUL DEATH” shall appear in white font color on a red background and the words “QUIT TODAY CALL 1800-11-2356”shall appear in white font color on a black background. This shall be valid for a period of twelve month starting from December 1, 2020 (for image 1)
The word “TOBACCO CAUSES PAINFUL DEATH” shall appear in white font color on a red background and the words “QUIT TODAY CALL 1800-11-2356” shall appear in white font color on a black background. This shall come into effect from December 1, 2021 (for image 2)
The pictorial health warning and textual health warning shall be printed with four colors with printing resolution of minimum 300 DPI (Dots per inch). Their font type and color shall be exactly as prescribed.
All tobacco products manufactured or packaged or imported on or after December 1, 2020 shall display image- 1 and those manufactured or imported or packaged on or after December 1, 2021 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 will be 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.
The images details of specified health warning and the rules are available at mohfw.gov.in and ntcp.nhp.gov.in. The open file of the images may also be obtained from the Ministry by making a request at [email protected] and /or 011-23062868.