India - Still no pictorial warnings on cigarette packs..

June 1, 2009 - CHENNAI: The Union (the Government of India officially is referred to as the Union Government) health ministry directive that all tobacco products sold in the country carry pictorial warnings from May 31, went almost
unimplemented in large parts of Chennai (capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and is India's fourth largest metropolitan city, known as 'Gateway to South India'), on Sunday.

According to the cigarette and tobacco products (packaging and labelling) rules issued by the Union government, all cigarette and tobacco packs should carry pictorial messages and a revised statutory warning, "smoking kills and tobacco causes cancer" on 40% of the principal display area.

Some others were sure that the measure would not be followed. "In 2008, the Union government imposed a ban on smoking in public places and it was not followed. So I did not expect any warning on the packet," said N Anand of Mylapore. India - Heavy Fines If You Smoke In Public Places...

Reference: Still no warnings on cigarette packs, The Times of India, 6/1/2009.

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