KOCHI: Director general of police Loknath Behera has issued an order to ADGPs, Range IGs and district chiefs to take strict action against sellers of tobacco products without mandatory big pictorial warning.
The move follows reports of rampant violation of the Union health ministry’s order mandating that 85 per cent of the package space should cover warning pictures in all tobacco products. It has also been asked to seek the support of other government departments if needed.
Based on the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (COTP) Packaging and Labelling Amendment Rules, 2014, the health ministry mandated that all tobacco products should have larger pictorial warnings on both sides.
Though tobacco manufacturers approached the Supreme Court against the order, the apex court ratified it and made May 31 as the deadline for complying with the norm.
The police chief has also instructed them to act tough against smoking in public places. With the increase in tobacco-induced cancer cases in the state, health experts attach much significance to the new regulation.
Dr A.S Pradeep Kumar, research officer at Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies and former additional director, department of health told DC that nobody seems to bother about the packaging of tobacco products. “Bigger pictorial warning in tobacco products is much significant as it gives a positive message on abstinence.
The big pictures and texts will attract the public, and it persuades teenagers not to start tobacco consumption and create awareness among tobacco users on its consequences,” he said.
The manufacturers should use only 15 percent of the space in the packets for displaying the brand name and other details of the company. “Tobacco companies claim that they are yet to sell off the old packs completely,” he said.
