I&B Against Skull & Bones on Tobacco Packets

Source from:  timesofindia.indiatimes.com 12 Jul, 2007 07/12/2007

NEW DELHI: The I&B ministry appears unwilling to display the controversial 'skull and crossbones' pictoral warning on tobacco products and has sought four weeks' time to develop alternative designs. The issue, discussed by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Wednesday, remained inconclusive. I&B minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi made a presentation to the ministers suggesting that an alternative warning design be created. "The ministry is of the view that some other designs could be prepared by the Department of Audio-Visual Publicity (DAVP) and put before the GoM for their consideration within four weeks," Dasmunsi said. Health ministry has been pushing for the skull and crossbones warning on cigarette and bidi packets besides other tobacco products like gutka . The warning was expected to be implemented from February 1 but was later deferred to June 1. However, the issue remains a nettled one as bidi workers and those working in tobacco related trades constitute a powerful vote bank, one that political leaders are loath to upset. The GoM is likely to meet again to resolve the issue. Health minister Anbumani Ramadoss said, "We are going to meet again, probably this month to arrive at a final decision. All the ministers deliberated on the issues of labour, religious sentiments, farmers and health problems." Ramadoss said health ministry was pushing for the pictorial warning that covers half the packet. "We are concerned about the health of the people," he said. Several MPs and political parties from states like Andhra Pradesh, having large bidi industry, had opposed the move saying it would affect the industry. It is estimated that around one million people are working in the bidi industry. Bidi manufactures had raised concern that their business would suffer and this could lead to shutting down their trade, leading to many becoming jobless. But health ministry remained adamant saying tobacco was the leading cause of cancer in the country. Enditem