SC declines interim orders on pictorial warnings on cigarette packets

The Supreme Court on Friday declined interim orders on question of pictorial warnings on cigarette packets.

The apex court was hearing petition challenging Karnataka High Court's order, which scrapped the government regulation, directing that packets of tobacco products must carry pictorial warning spread over 85 percent of both sides of the packaging.

The top court asked the Karnataka High Court to upload a copy of its judgement, adding that, 'urgency in the matter is understandable but no decision till detailed judgment is available.'

The apex court put the matter for consideration on January 8.

The Karnataka High Court on December 15 quashed 2014 amendment stating that both sides of a cigarette packet should have 85 percent statutory warning.

Earlier in 2016, the Supreme Court had reminded tobacco makers of their duty to society and to carry pictorial warnings spread over 85 percent of both sides of their packaging as mandated under the government's amended 2014 rules, staying a Karnataka High Court order that had prevented implementation of these rules.

The earlier 2008 rules required pictorial warnings on just 40 percent of the packaging on one side.