Question : PICTORIAL WARNING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS

(a) whether the Government is unwilling to display the controversial ‘skull and crossbones’ pictorial warning on tobacco products as reported in The Times of India dates July 12, 2007;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government is planning to develop alternative designs;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the time by when the final decision is likely to be taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) to (e) Keeping in view, the concerns expressed by certain sections of the society against the depiction of skull and cross bones, the Government has taken a decision to make the display of skull and cross bones optional.

The specified health warning will come into effect from 1.10.2007.