India’s health warnings policy was drafted in 2006. After 2 rounds of revisions in 2006 and 2007, a final set of health warnings were released in 2008 and were implemented on all cigarette packages on May 31, 2009. Two warnings were rotated on cigarette packages and a separate warning was rotated on all smokeless tobacco products.
In 2011, India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare proposed an amendment to the rules which included 4 new pictorial warnings to be used on tobacco and bidi packages, and 4 new pictorial warnings for smokeless packages. Implementation of these rules began on December 1, 2011 and allowed tobacco companies to choose any one picture out of each set of 4 images for smoked and smokeless tobacco products.
On September 27, 2012, India proposed a new round of picture warnings that were to be required as of April 1, 2013, although implementation of these warnings varied. A set of 3 new pictorial warnings were developed for smoked tobacco products, and a separate set of 3 new warnings were developed for smokeless tobacco products. Health warnings were required to cover 40% of the front of all cigarette packages.
On October 15, 2014, the government proposed larger warnings that cover 85% of the front and back of the pack. The larger warnings were initially scheduled to come into effect April 1, 2015, but the deadline was extended until April 1, 2016.
Legislation and Regulations
India’s Legislation Library
Health Warning Reports, Publications & Presentations
India’s Health Warning Document Library
Health Warnings
April 2016 – Present**
Smoked Tobacco Products
Smokeless Tobacco Products
April 2013 to April 2016**
Smoked Tobacco Products
Smokeless Tobacco Products
2011 to 2013**
Smoked Tobacco Products
Smokeless Tobacco Products**
2009 to 2011**
Other Warnings used in Testing and Development**
** The images contained in this gallery are subject to Indian copyright laws. Any duplication, reproduction, or use without the express consent of said party is prohibited. Countries should be contacted individually for usage of images.
India
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