Fifty percent warnings suggested

A parliamentary committee in India has suggested that graphic health warnings should take up 50 percent of the two main pack surfaces of cigarettes, rather than the 85 percent that has been proposed, according to a story in the latest issue of the BBM Bommidala Group newsletter.

The committee has suggested, too, that bidi warnings should take up 50 percent of one surface of packs.

The Health Ministry has proposed that the warnings cover 85 percent of both of the main sides of all tobacco packaging, and it has submitted an affidavit at the High Court saying that such a requirement would be enforced from April 1.

The committee said that it was of the view that 50 percent warnings would constitute a balanced approach, while 85 percent would be ‘too harsh on the tobacco industry’: it would further fuel the illegal trade in cigarettes and jeopardize jobs.

The newsletter said that the committee’s report was expected to be submitted to parliament soon, along with a suggestion to concentrate on tobacco-risk awareness programs, which had proved to be more effective than health warnings.