By IANS, [RxPG] New Delhi, July 20 - The Indian government Friday cleared a legislation that makes it mandatory for every packet of cigarettes or any other tobacco product to contain a specified health warning.
The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products - Act, cleared by the cabinet, will replace an ordinance.
'The legislation is to be brought in the first week of the monsoon session of parliament,' Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The specified health warning comprises the skull and bones sign, a health warning 'TOBACCO KILLS/SMOKING KILLS'; a pictorial representation of the ill-effects of tobacco use and a health message.
According to the rule, any person who produces or manufactures cigarettes or tobacco products without the specified warning shall in the case of first conviction face an imprisonment of up to two years, or be fined Rs.5,000 or both.
If the offence is committed for the second time, the imprisonment may be extended to five years with a fine of Rs.10,000.
Even the person who sells or distributes cigarettes or tobacco products without the specified warning shall be liable to punishment. This may be imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine of Rs.1,000, or both, and for the second or subsequent conviction, the imprisonment may extend to two years with a fine of Rs.3,000.
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