Cigarettes and other tobacco products will carry a sign of a skull and crossed bones as well detailed warnings on their packets from Feb 1, 2007, the health ministry said Tuesday.
Every package of cigarette or any other tobacco product must bear a skull-and-bones sign, a health warning saying "Tobacco Kills" or "Smoking Kills", a pictorial representation of ill effects of tobacco use and a health message.The ministry warned that non-compliance of the new rules would invite stringent penalty, including up to two years in jail and a fine of up to Rs.5,000 in the case of first conviction, as per the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules 2006.
For the second or subsequent conviction, the jail term may extend to five years and fine up to Rs.10,000, it said.
Even selling or distributing cigarettes or tobacco products without the specified warning will invite punishment, the statement said.
(Source: IANS)
