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“Pictorial warning to cover 80% of cigarette pack”, law from Friday
Tough new anti-tobacco legislation, making it mandatory to carry pictorial warnings covering 80 per cent of cigarette packets, is to be approved by Parliament on Friday.
The new laws will come by way of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (Amendment) Bill which was introduced to the House as an Urgent Bill on Tuesday.
Under the provisions of the Bill, manufacturers or importers of tobacco products will be required to carry the Health warnings that are, “displayed conspicuously and in legible print on the top surface area of both the front and back of every packet, package or carton containing the tobacco product manufactured or imported by such manufacturer or importer.”
The Health warnings will have to cover an area of 80 per cent of the top surface area of both the front and back of every packet, package or carton containing cigarettes and other tobacco products.
The Health warnings will have to indicate the health hazards and the harmful effects caused by the usage of tobacco products, and will also have to include a label or statement specifying the tar and nicotine content in each tobacco product in such packet, package or carton along with such Health warnings prescribed by law.
The new laws will make it mandatory for the Health warnings to be changed once every six months .The pictorials, pictograms and messages that can be used will be made available on a compact disc issued by the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol.
Those who act in contravention of these laws could face imprisonment of up to one year, as well as a fine of up to Rs 50,000.
The Bill was referred to the Supreme Court by the President after it was certified by the Cabinet of Ministers as urgent in the national interest. The Court has determined that neither the Bill nor any of its provisions are inconsistent with the Constitution.
Manufacturers and importers of existing stocks of tobacco products shall be granted a grace period up to June 1, 2015, to comply with the new laws.
Increasing to 80 per cent illustrated warnings on cigarettes packets is one of the promises made in the 100-Day programme undertaken by President Maithripala Sirisena. From January this year, illustrated warnings appeared on cigarette packets sold locally, but were restricted to 60 per cent of the area.