Amendments on cigarette packs’ warnings
In New Delhi, state officials look for new amendments to law about warnings on packs of cigarettes. It was decided to display the skull and cross-bone sign on this harmful product. Of course, this picture inspires fear and is far from being “just simple warning”. It can be understood in diverse ways from religious and political points of view.
Government decided that skeleton sign would only be optional. Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters after a meeting of the Union Cabinet: “The Group of Ministers has submitted its recommendations, based on which the amendment will be brought to amend Section 7(1) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply & Distribution) Act 2003."
He also added that some kinds of warnings will remain on cigs’ packs and that this amendment will enable the government to make optional the depiction on packaging of all tobacco products.
Modification of skull and cross-bone warning display on tobacco products had arose because it can hurt the religious sentiments of certain communities. Speaking more specifically, if the display was not changed the results would be unpredictable because it can be interpreted as disregard and offending of religion of local minorities.
Eventually, it was decided that packs of cigarettes will contain only the “appropriate warnings” to predict the inconveniences for social or religious groups.
