Add ‘early’ to death warning on tobacco products: Delhi govt
The words ‘Tobacco causes painful death’ do not explain the fact that the life span of tobacco users also get shortened. Therefore, it is suggested that if we can add the word ‘early’...
DR S K ARORA, additional director (health)
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has requested the Union health ministry to add the word ‘early’ to its revised tobacco warnings — ‘Tobacco causes painful death’ — because it does not clearly explain tobacco use shortens lifespan.
The text warnings, pictorial warnings and a national tollfree quit line number (1800-112356) cover 85 per cent of the packet of tobacco products from September 1.
In his letter to the Union health ministry, Dr S K Arora, an additional director (health), wrote that death can be natural, but smoking causes premature death. Smoking can shorten life by an average of 10 years, the official said.
“So, the words ‘ Tobacco causes painful death’ clearly do not explain the very fact that the life span of tobacco users also get shortened. Therefore, it is suggested that if we can add the word ‘early’, so that the revised wordings can be ‘ Tobacco causes early painful death’, will affect the mindset of people more and the message will be more clearer,” Dr Arora said in the letter.
An official at the Union health ministry confirmed getting the letter, but said the text of the warning is not likely to be changed.
“Yes, the Delhi government had written to the health ministry, asking to include the word ‘early’. We are looking into it but it’s unlikely that there will be a change because it would mean changing the entire notification,” said a senior health ministry official, requesting anonymity. The Union Health Ministry had issued a notification on April 3 issuing new warnings and including the toll-free helpline number to help tobacco users quit their addiction through support and counselling.
Last month, the Centre allowed existing health warnings on tobacco packets to be used till August 31, instead of the earlier deadline of March 31.