Anti-tobacco Warning: Government made new anti-tobacco rules for OTT platform, it will be difficult if not followed

Under the new rules, over-the-top (OTT) platforms or streaming services will need to display health alerts during smoking scenes of actors.

After regulating anti-tobacco campaigns on OTT platforms, India has become a global leader (number 1) in spreading awareness against tobacco consumption. After which the Union Health Ministry has made new rules for anti-tobacco warnings on the OTT platform. Which makes it mandatory for OTT platforms to display anti-tobacco campaign messages. Under these rules, over-the-top (OTT) platforms or streaming services will need to display health alerts during smoking scenes of actors. So that people can be made aware not to consume tobacco.

From May 31, health-related warnings will also be shown on OTT platforms in front of scenes containing cigarettes and other tobacco products. The decision has been taken by the ministry after several rounds of consultations with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and people from the industry and other stakeholders.

India becomes a global leader by regulating anti-tobacco warnings on OTT Platforms

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The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday, while implementing new rules for anti-tobacco warnings on OTT platforms, said that the ministry will take strict action if the publication of online material fails to comply with the new rules. The government's new rules mandate OTT platforms to carry anti-tobacco warning messages similar to the ones we see in cinemas and TV programs and will be shown on the occasion of 'World No Tobacco Day' observed on May 31.

Government will issue notice

The government says that after identifying the publisher of online curated content, it will issue a notice giving a reasonable opportunity to explain such failure and make appropriate amendments to the content. Tobacco addiction has been recognized as the single largest cause of preventable death and disability worldwide. Millions of people die every year due to the consumption of tobacco.

Deaths occur every year

Binoy Mathew, Program Manager, Voluntary Health Association of India, said that this is a great and pioneering step by India and India has indeed become a global leader in regulating the promotion of tobacco through entertainment. There are about 1.35 crore deaths in the world every year and it is also the second largest consumer and producer of tobacco. At the global level, about 80 lakh people die every year, of which 13.5 lakh are Indians.

This is the main objective of the government

Mathew said that the mortality rate due to tobacco use is well established. The government has enacted a beneficial law COTPA to discourage the use of tobacco by eliminating all direct and indirect tobacco advertisements. The theme of World No Tobacco Day this year is “We need food, not tobacco”.

The 2023 global campaign aims to raise awareness of alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers and encourage them to grow sustainable, nutritious crops. It will also aim to expose attempts by the tobacco business to interfere with efforts to replace growing tobacco with sustainable crops, thereby contributing to the global food crisis.