India parliament panel urges smaller health warning on cigarette packs - report

VST Industries

11/03/2016 09:05

NEW DELHI, March 11 (Reuters) - An Indian parliamentary 
committee has recommended a sharp reduction in the proposed size 
of health warnings on cigarette packs, saying the measure is too 
harsh on the tobacco industry, sources who have seen the draft 
report said on Friday. 
    The government had proposed that tobacco makers cover 85 
percent of a cigarette pack's surface with the health warning, 
up from 20 percent now.  
    But the parliament committee has suggested in its report 
that the warnings be limited to half the size of the cigarette 
pack to also protect farmers' interest while promoting health. 
    The committee is of the view that to have "a balanced 
approach" the warning size should be 50 percent, according to 
two sources who have seen the report. 
 
 (Reporting by Aditya Kalra; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani) 
 ((sanjeev.miglani@thomsonreuters.com; +91 11 4178 1020; Reuters 
Messaging: sanjeev.miglani@thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: INDIA TOBACCO/