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WHO pushes for 'no name, only pictorial warnings' on tobacco product packets

Tobacco use can trigger an onset of life-threatening non-communicable diseases (NCDs), like ischemic heart diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases; hence, its increasing incidence must be curbed.

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Australia in 2012 successfully implemented WHO’s plain packaging. India, at present, has pictorial warning on 85% of the packet
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In an attempt to reduce tobacco consumption across the world, the World Health Organisation has come up with an idea of plain packaging on tobacco products. Taking it up as a theme for 'World No Tobacco Day', WHO has started encouraging countries to go for plain packaging of tobacco products which will only have the pictorial warning minus the brand name. This idea was successfully implemented by Australia in 2012 and, according to WHO, it has shown positive results. Presently, in India, pictorial warning is compulsory on 85% of the packet.

"Tobacco use can trigger an onset of life-threatening non-communicable diseases (NCDs), like ischemic heart diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases; hence, its increasing incidence must be curbed. The Delhi Medical Council, Heart Care Foundation of India, and Indian Medical Association (IMA) have jointly sent out a communication to members of the medical fraternity, requesting them to actively prescribe refraining the use of all tobacco products as well as to stay away from smoke-filled environments to each and every patient," said Dr KK Aggarwal, secretary general, IMA.

According to WHO, the plain packaging is an important demand reduction measure that lessens the attractiveness of tobacco products, restricts the use of packaging as a form of tobacco advertising and promotion, limits misleading packaging and labelling, and increases the effectiveness of health warnings.

WHO wants plain packaging of tobacco products that refers to measures that restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colours, brand images or promotional information on packaging, other than brand names and product names displayed in a standard colour and font style.

In 2015, Ireland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and France passed laws to implement plain packaging from May 2016. Several countries are in advanced stages of considering adoption of plain packaging laws.

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