Tobacco products will carry a new image and a warning message from December 1, 2022 onwards, Union health ministry informed on Friday.

According to reports, the message ‘Tobacco causes painful death’ will be carried on tobacco products manufactured, imported or packaged after December 1. Packs will also carry a new image which will be valid for one year.

In addition, the image will have a textual health warning according to the ministry. The warning will read, “Tobacco users die younger”.

The ministry notified the new health warnings through an amendment in the cigarettes and other tobacco products (packaging and labeling) rules, 2008, dated July 21, 2022.

The amendment will be applicable from December 1, 2022.

The notification from the ministry is available on the websites: mohfw.gov.in and ntcp.nhp.gov.in in 19 languages.

The ministry further said in its statement that a person involved either directly or indirectly in the manufacture, production, supply, import and distribution of cigarettes or any other tobacco products will have to ensure that all tobacco product packages have the specified health warnings as prescribed.

Any violation of the guidelines is punishable and imprisonment or fine as prescribed in Section 20 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, the ministry added.