(a) whether the Government has made it mandatory for all the
imported cigarettes to carry pictorial warnings on each packet;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether imported cigarettes are being sold without carrying
the mandatory pictorial warnings in the dutyfree shops; and
(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to ensure that sale
of imported cigarettes are made in compliance with local laws?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI S. GANDHISELVAN)
(a) & (b) Yes. As per Section 7 (3) of “The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition
of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act,
2003 - No person shall import cigarettes or any other tobacco products for distribution or
supply for a valuable consideration or for sale in India unless every package of cigarettes
or any other tobacco products so imported by him bears thereon, or on its label, the specified
warning.
(c) & (d) The Government of India has notified “the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products
(Packaging and Labeling) Rules, 2008†vide GSR No. 182 dated 15th March 2008. These rules
have come into force from 31st May 2009. As per these Rules every package of cigarette or
any other tobacco product sold in the country including through duty free shops shall have
the specified health warning, as specified. Ministry of Health has written to all State
Governments and to CBEC, Department of Revenue for ensuring strict compliance of aforesaid
Rules.