New pictorial warnings missing from tobacco products

New Delhi: Even though the government-approved new pictorial warnings on tobacco packets were to be implemented April 1, 2013, a survey by a health organisation said on Monday that no tobacco products in the national capital carried the new warning.

"Tobacco companies have been given ample time to ensure the new picture warnings on tobacco packs. A snap survey of 40-50 retail outlets by VHAI revealed that no cigarette, gutka or bidi packets have the new picture warnings," said Bhavna Mukhopadhyay, executive director, Voluntary Health Association of India.

New and stricter warnings for tobacco packs were notified by the health ministry in September 2012 and were to be implemented from April 1, 2013.