A nation-wide survey has found that over 60 per cent packs of cigarette and 46 per cent of smokeless tobacco comply with the Centre’s mandated 85 per cent pictorial warning requirements.
A nation-wide survey has found that over 60 per cent packs of cigarette and 46 per cent of smokeless tobacco comply with the Centre’s mandated 85 per cent pictorial warning requirements.
According to the study conducted by the Voluntary Health Association of India, for Delhi, 54 per cent of the cigarette packs and 55 per cent of smokeless tobacco packs were fully compliant with all the labelling requirements mandated under the law.
“Sixty seven per cent of the cigarette packs were fully compliant with all the labelling requirements of the law — graphic, text content, location and size (85 per cent of the principal display area) of the health warning labels. Sixteen per cent of bidi packs displayed a pictorial and text health warning label that covered 85 per cent, 46 per cent of the smokeless toba-cco packs displayed a pictorial and text health warning label that covered 85 per cent of the principal display area of both sides of the pack,” the study said.
The study was conducted two months after implementation of the new rules on April 1, 2016 in eight states — Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, J&K, Kerala, Karna-taka, Rajasthan and West Bengal. “Data collected demonstrates that contrary to the claim of major tobacco companies, printing the new 85 per cent warnings is practically feasible on all tobacco products. The evidence is indisputable and shows tobacco manufacturers are capable of complying with all the provisions of the government’s mandate,” the study said.
“The study show implementing 85 per cent pictorial warnings on tobacco products is possible,” said Bhavna B. Mukhopadhyay, chief executive, VHAI.
