In July 2022. the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India has notified new sets of specified health warnings for all tobacco product packs by making an amendment in the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules. 2008. From which date will these new health warnings be applicable?

Correct option is C

Correct Answer: C (1 December 2022)

Explanation:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, notified new sets of specified health warnings for all tobacco product packs by making an amendment to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules, 2008 in July 2022. These new health warnings came into effect from 1 December 2022.

Key Points:

1. Tobacco Product Packaging Rules:
• The new health warnings include strong pictorial warnings and a new text message to discourage tobacco use.
• These warnings cover at least 85% of the principal display area of the packaging.
2. Implementation Phases:
• First set of warnings: Applied from 1 December 2022.
• Second set of warnings: Took effect from 1 December 2023.
3. Message on Packaging:
• The text warning on tobacco packs includes "Tobacco causes painful death" and "Tobacco users die younger."
• The new images of diseased lungs and cancer-affected body parts were also included.
4. Legal Action:
• Non-compliance with these packaging rules can lead to penalties and strict enforcement under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.

Information Booster:

•  The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised India’s strong stance on tobacco control measures.
  
• India is a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
  
• Tobacco-related deaths in India account for nearly 1.35 million per year.
  
•  The prohibition of e-cigarettes was also enforced in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.