90 % cigarettes comply with new graphic health warning: Survey

GUWAHATI, Sept 20: Ninety per cent of the cigarette products sold across Assam comply with the new 85 percent pictorial norms of displaying health warning tobacco packets, according to a recent survey, stated a press release.

The survey found that all the leading brands of cigarettes and many of the leading brands of the smokeless tobacco and Bidis sold across Assam are displaying the new pictorial health warnings covering 85 percent of tobacco product packages and complying with the law, as mandated by the Government of India since April 1, 2016.  

It shows that 51 % of the smokeless tobacco products and 25 % of bidi products are complying with the new pictorial health warning rule in Assam.

The survey conducted by Voluntary Health Association of Assam (VHAA), Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) and several other local voluntary bodies was carried out in eight states of India (Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Kartaka, Rajasthan and West Bengal).    

The survey by the public health groups, which was done during June-July, 2016, two months after implementation of new rules in India shows that contrary to the claim of major tobacco companies’, that health warning cannot be covered in any manner when the pack is sealed or opened.