Tobacco warnings set for May-end

After a two year debate over the content of pictorial warnings of tobacco products,the warnings will finally see the light of day on May 31,in accordance with an undertaking given by the Union Health Ministry to the Supreme Court. While pictures of cancer-affected lungs and a cancer-affected heart, will be depicted on bidis and cigarettes,a picture of a scorpion has been short-listed for all chewing products.

The warnings which will be displayed on the front panel of the products,will occupy 40 per cent of the principal display area and will be in English/Hindi and a regional language. While the warning Smoking Kills will be used on cigarette and beedis,Tobacco Kills will be displayed on tobacco chewing products. The pictorial warnings will appear in white font on a red background,with every specified health message in bold black font on a white background.