SC refuses to stay new rules on tobacco

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to stay at this stage the new Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products ( Packaging and Labeling) Second Amendment Rules, 2018 from September 1, which mandates more than 40 per cent display of warning in cigarette packets.

The Amendment Rules stipulate two images depicting the manifestation of cancer, as specified health warning, to appear on the package consecutively during the rotation period, with an interregnum period of 12 months. It also stipulates the manufacturers to display on tobacco products from September 1 photo of a person’s throat with a hole accompanied with the text “smoking causes throat cancer.”

When senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi pleaded for stay of the notification, the Chief Justice, heading a three- judge bench said, “People are suffering from Oral cancer. The government is only informing the dangers of tobacco with the new photo. “Justice DY Chandrachud, one of the Judges on the Bench ( Justice A. M. Kanwilkar is the third judge) asked the counsel, “What is wrong with the government’s move changing the photograph on tobacco products?”

Mr Rohagi submitted then close the tobacco business. Close alcohol and sugar business. “I have right to do my business. How can the Government come upwith a new regulation when the case is pending in SC?” But the CJI said there was nothing wrong in the government informing about those using tobacco products, which may cause oral cancer.