PTI
 
New Delhi, Jul 18: "Tobacco Kills/Smoking Kills" - such health warnings would be mandatory on all tobacco products soon failing which the sellers would attract stringent penalty including imprisonment.

Other health warnings that could appear on tobacco packages include "Skull and Bones Sign" or a pictorial representation of ill-effects of tobacco use and a health message.

The Health and Family Welfare Ministry headed by Anbumani Ramadoss, who has been a staunch advocate against smoking, has notified rules in this regard.

"The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packing and Labelling) Rules 2006 make it mandatory that every package of cigarette or any other tobacco product shall contain the specified health warning," an official release said today.

The new rules would come into effect from February one next year so as to allow the trade and industry to make the necessary changes in their trade practices.

Any person who produces or manufactures cigarettes or tobacco products without the specified warning shall in the case of first conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to Rs 5,000, or with both.

The second or subsequent conviction would lead to imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to Rs 10,000.