Rules for tobacco labelling modified to placate industry bodies

New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) To placate the industrial association protesting against the government decision to have pictorial labelling on tobacco products, the government has given some concessions including big packages such bidi packed in gunny bags not requiring any such label.

The Health Ministry notified the rules relating to packaging and labelling of tobacco products yesterday under which pictures of cancer and other diseases caused due to tobacco would be depicted on cigerette and bidi packets from November 30.

Pursuant to representation from various Industries' Federation, the Packaging and Labeling Rules have now been reviewed permitting pasting the Specified Health Warnings on the retail packages of tobacco products. It has also been clarified that the Specified Health Warnings will not be required to be pasted or affixed on packages such as gunny bags.

The rules have been further modified allowing specified health warnings as per language used on the pack. However, if more than one language is used on the pack, the specified warning shall appear in two languages, viz. one in which the brand name appears and the other in the local language of the area where the product is sold.

The Amendment Rules largely redresses the grievances of various industrial associations including the All India Bidi Industries Federation.

UNI AJ BDP CS1955