NGO welcomes tobacco warning feat

An Assam based NGO today welcomed India becoming third among 205 countries with the largest pictorial warning on tobacco products.
The Voluntary Health Association of Assam (VHAA) said it was a giant leap from its earlier ranking of 136 in 2014 and 123 in 2012.
Nepal has the largest warning requirements in the world at 90 per cent of the package front and back while India and Thailand are tied for third, with 85 per cent pictorial warnings.
VHAA Executive Secretary Ruchira Neog said, "By implementing 85 per cent pictorial health warnings front and back on all tobacco packages, Indian Government has set up an example for making India a Global Leader and sent a strong message to the global community about India's commitment in reducing tobacco use and the sickness and poverty it causes."

"Cigarette package warnings are a highly cost-effective way to increase awareness of the negative health effects of smoking and to reduce tobacco use. Picture-based warnings convey a more powerful message than a text-only warning, and larger ones increase impact", she said.
Picture warnings are especially valuable for low and middle-income countries where there are higher rates of illiteracy and where governments may have few resources, the executive said.