Now, tollfree number on packs to help quit tobacco

LUCKNOW:A new warning sign will soon come on tobacco products packs and experts say they might help more people to quit tobacco.

As per the government order, a textual health warning (for smoking and smokeless forms of tobacco products) “tobacco causes cancer” and the word “tobacco causes painful death” would appear in white font on a red background and the words “QUIT TODAY CALL 1800-112356” will also be displayed on the packets.

State consultant in the national mental health programme Surya Pathak said, “If warnings keep changing it will get more attention and people will be provoked to leave tobacco. If you see same warning for long, your mind does not get the needed impact to quit tobacco.”

The step to introduce new warning, said Gyaneshwar Singh of Vinobha Sewa Ashram, is commendable and the publicity of the toll free number would help people quit tobacco use. “The caller can get advice on how to quit,” he said.

The graphical representation of worst impact of tobacco use is certainly going to create fear among the tobacco users.

The application of health warning on both manufactured and imported tobacco products are going to impact the tobacco users negatively, said Gyaneshwar Singh, programme manager, Tobacco Free Lucknow Campaign.

Experts said the publicity of toll free number will certainly be a benefit for those looking for information to quit tobacco.