Cigarette and tobacco products to carry warning 'death' sign

New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) Cigarette packets or any other tobacco product shall now bear the specified health warning comprising the skull and bones sign, a pictorial representation of ill-effects of tobacco use and a health message effective from February 1, 2007.

The warning contained on the cigarette package, incorporated as per The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packing and Labelling) Rules, 2006, is aimed at educating people about the ill-effects of smoking and tobacco products consumption.

As per the Rules, notified on July 5, 2006, every package of cigarette or any other tobacco product shall contain the health warning as specified in the Schedule to these Rules, an official spokesperson said here today.

The specified health warning comprises the skull and bones sign, a health warning that "TOBACCO KILLS/SMOKING KILLS", a pictorial representation of the ill-effects of tobacco use and a health message.

The rules will come into effect from February 1 next so as to allow the trade and industry to make the necessary changes in their trade practices.

Section 20 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (Prohibition of Advertising and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, also provides for stringent penalty for non-compliance.

Thus, any person who produces or manufactures cigarettes or tobacco products without the specified warning shall in the case of first conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term up to two years, or with fine up to Rs 5,000, or with both. In the event of second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine up to Rs 10,000.

Even the person who sells or distributes cigarettes or tobacco products without the specified warning shall be liable to punishment ranging from a term up to one year, or with fine up to Rs 1,000, or with both. For the second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment for a term, which may extend to two years and with fine up to Rs 3,000.

UNI SD PK RS1425