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Journalism of Courage
After a lot of wrangling for two years,pictorial warnings on tobacco products became mandatory from May 31,the World No Tobacco Day.
The Union Ministry of Health has notified officials in the Excise Department not to allow tobacco products without pictorial warnings to enter the markets. Manufacturers and sellers will be held accountable if found selling products without the mandatory warnings.
If they are found doing so,there is a penalty of imprisonment which may be extended up to two years with a Rs 5,000 fine or both. For the subsequent offence,while the imprisonment may be extended to five years,the fine may be extended to Rs 10,000, an official said.
Vendors,too,are on the Health Ministrys radar. Drug and police department officials,who will remain on the lookout for those selling products without the warnings,have been notified to fine them.
For the sellers,the imprisonment may extend to one year or a fine which may be extended to Rs 1,000. For subsequent offence,the imprisonment may be extended to two years with a fine of Rs 3,000.
The ministry has also alerted the Commerce Ministry regarding imported tobacco products to carry health warnings.
Pictures of cancer-affected lungs and cancer-affected heart and a scorpion will be displayed on tobacco products.
