The government has introduced new rules for online shows, like those on streaming platforms, regarding the display of tobacco products. This decision was made to protect people’s health and raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco. The Rajya Sabha was informed about these rules on July 25, as Minister of State for Health, SP Singh Baghel, shared the details in a written reply.
The new rules, called the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Amendment Rules, 2023, were notified on May 31. These rules apply to all online curated content, such as TV shows or movies that show or use tobacco products.
The most noticeable change is that whenever a tobacco product is shown or used during a show, a health warning against tobacco will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Additionally, before the program starts and in the middle of it, the platform must show anti-tobacco health spots. These spots will last for at least 30 seconds each and will inform viewers about the harmful effects of tobacco. By doing this, the government hopes to educate people about the risks associated with tobacco use.
Not only will there be visual warnings, but there will also be audio-visual disclaimers. At the beginning and middle of each program, a disclaimer about the harmful effects of tobacco will be shown for at least 20 seconds. This way, viewers will hear about the risks in addition to seeing the warnings.
To ensure that all platforms follow these rules, an inter-ministerial committee will be formed. This committee will consist of representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. They will work together to make sure that the rules are followed and that the health warnings are displayed as required.