Narendra Modi Govt Defers Move To Increase Size Of Pictorial Warnings On Tobacco Products

By siliconindia | Wednesday, 01 April 2015, 10:50 Hrs

NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi government has stayed the decision to increase the size of pictorial warnings on tobacco products following a Parliamentary panel’s assertion that it needs more time to deliberate on the issue.

Health Minister J P Nadda, however, insisted that the government was committed to its stand on increasing the size of pictorial warning and curbing tobacco consumption in all its forms and have informed the panel on the same.

“The committee has said that they want to deliberate it further. They have asked for more time for deliberation. Till that time, the warning which was to come up on advertisement and on the packets has been stayed,” he said.

“But the Health Ministry, when it went to the Committee, whatever we have said, we are firm on that. We have pleaded that there was a necessity for this (warnings). Health Ministry is very much on its stand,” Nadda said.

The Parliamentary Committee on subordinate legislation examining the provisions of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 headed by BJP MP Dilip Gandhi had “strongly” urged the government to keep on hold its proposal to increase the size of pictorial warnings on tobacco packets from 40 percent to 85 percent which was to come to effect from April 1.

“It is the recommendation of the committee to keep it abeyance till they decide and deliberate on it. They are deliberating. Till that time it has been stayed. Health Ministry is committed whatever stand we have taken, we want to take it forward,” Nadda said.

Source: PTI