Cigarette packs to carry this warning msg from Sept 1

In a bid to evade people from getting addicted to cigarettes, the government has made it mandatory for manufacturers to carry 'Quit Today' message in addition to 85 per cent of pictorial warnings occupying branding of the pack.

This shall be enforced from September 1 onwards. A helpline no - 1800-11-2356 - would also be given just like how boxes abroad come in.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said: "Violation of the above mentioned provision is a punishable offence with 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."

(Representative image)