Kathmandu: The boxes, packets, and wrappers of tobacco products to be supplied in the Nepali market will feature pictorial health warnings and messages covering 100 percent of the principal areas, both front and back, starting August 17. This initiative is part of the government’s intensified efforts to curb tobacco consumption through heightened awareness.
According to National News Agency RSS, the Ministry of Health and Population has officially endorsed the Directive for Printing and Labelling of Warning Messages and Pictures on tobacco product packaging, set to take effect from Bhadra 1, 2082 BS (August 17). This directive mandates manufacturers to print visible and understandable warning messages such as ‘consumption of tobacco product is injurious to health’ in the Nepali language. Additionally, packaging will include vivid color images depicting health risks associated with tobacco use.
The directive specifies that these warning messages and images must be printed on both the inside and outside of packaging materials, including cigarette boxes, Bidi, chewing tobacco, tobacco, Gutkha, and similar products. Previously, the required area for warnings covered 90 percent of the principal area, but this has now been increased to full coverage.
Under Secretary Gopi Krishna Regmi at the Ministry, who also serves as the member secretary at the Secretariat of Health Tax Fund, Kathmandu, revealed that preparations are underway to transition to plain packaging by amending the Tobacco Products (Control and Regulatory) Act 2068 BS (2011). The plain packaging concept aims to eliminate product branding and ensure uniformity in packaging, further discouraging tobacco use among consumers.