The health ministry has modified the packaging and labelling rules for tobacco products and now allows manufacturers to display specified health warnings on retail packages only.

Following a representation from industry federations, the Ministry has clarified that the warnings need not be displayed on packages such as gunny bags. The rules have been further modified allowing health warnings to be written in regional languages.
The ministry said the amendment rules largely addresses the grievances of various industrial associations including the All India Bidi Industries Federation.
Pictorial health warnings on tobacco packs will come into force in India from 1 December. (pi)