Govt notifies new image, health warning for tobacco packs

All tobacco products manufactured, imported, or packaged on or after December 1, 2022 will have to display a new image with the textual health warning 'Tobacco causes painful death,' the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

The image will be valid for a period of one year following its commencement from December 1. Tobacco products manufactured, imported, or packaged on or after December 1, 2023 will display an image with a textual health warning 'tobacco users die younger.'

The ministry has notified the new health warnings through an amendment in the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules, 2008 dated 21st July, 2022.


Any person engaged directly or indirectly in the manufacture, production, supply, import, or distribution of cigarettes or any tobacco products will ensure that all tobacco product packages have the specified health warnings exactly as prescribed, the ministry said.

Violation of the guidelines is a punishable offence with imprisonment or fine as prescribed in Section 20 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.