60% cigarette packs complying with display warning conditions

Over 60 percent packs of cigarette and 46 percent of smokeless tobacco are complying with the Centre's mandated 85 percent pictorial warning requirements, according to a nationwide survey which asserted that contrary to claims of major tobacco companies, printing of the new warnings was "feasible".

For Delhi, the study found that 54 percent of the cigarette packs and 55 percent of smokeless tobacco packs were fully compliant with all the labeling requirements mandated under the the law.

The study conducted by Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) and other health bodies urged the government to strictly enforce the new rules, saying health warnings on tobacco packages are a "direct and cost-effective" means of communication to inform about the health risks of tobacco.

"67 percent of the cigarette packs were fully compliant with all the labeling requirements of the law - graphic, text content, location and size (85 percent of the principal display area) of the health warning labels. 16 percent of the bidi packs displayed a pictorial and text health warning label that covered 85 percent.

"46 percent of the smokeless tobacco packs displayed a pictorial and text health warning label that covered 85 percent of the principal display area of both sides of the pack," the study said.

The data was collected during June-July, two months after implementation of the new rules on April 1 this year in eight states - Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan and West Bengal.

Tobacco-related diseases kill about 2,500 Indians daily and over 10 lakh every year and it is estimated that about 5,500 youth and children initiate tobacco use daily while India has 12 crore tobacco users, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey.

"The data collected demonstrates that contrary to the claim of major tobacco companies, printing the new 85 percent warnings is practically feasible on all tobacco products.

"The evidence is indisputable and shows that tobacco manufacturers are capable of complying with all the provisions of the government's mandate," the study said.

During this study, a total of 786 cigarette packs were observed from 24 brands of four tobacco companies and 665 packs were observed from seven different smokeless tobacco products from 48 brands of 36 tobacco companies and 20 brands of non-identified tobacco companies.