The Centre must urgently introduce prominent health warnings, particularly pictorial ones, on cigarette packets in line with the conditions of a global health treaty signed by India, the Voluntary Health Association of Karnataka (VHAK), a federation of NGOs, has demanded. The deadline for incorporating health warnings expires on February 27.
Briefing newspersons here, VHAK president Dr Nagesh Simha said India signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on September 10, 2003 and ratified it the following year. “No serious efforts have been taken to control the tobacco epidemic. It is the powerful lobby of tobacco companies that has prevented the government from taking any action,” he charged.
No skull picture
“The frightening picture of a skull, which was supposed to be printed on packets, has been opposed saying it would hurt religious sentiments,” Dr Simha said. It is a similar image that has been in use for long to convey danger in electrical installations and that did not affect any one, he said. The picture planned on packets is now a watered-down version of what had been planned originally.
“Politicians whose areas are dominated by tobacco growers are scuttling moves to stop the usage of tobacco products,” he alleged.
Speaking on a WHO report submitted a fortnight ago on the global tobacco epidemic, S J Chander, convenor of the Consortium for Tobacco Free Karnataka, said there would be a billion tobacco deaths during the 21st century globally.  “There are 5.4 million deaths taking place every year and unless urgent action is taken, there would be more that eight million deaths annually by 2030. Tobacco kills over nine lakh people in India annually,” he added.
The other steps the government must take to reduce tobacco consumption are enforcement of ban on sale of tobacco products to minors, prevent it being sold within 100 metres of educational institutions and stop films from glamourising smoking, he added.