Need help quitting? Cigarette packs to now have helpline number
Along with a statutory warning that smoking causes cancer, cigarette packs will now have a helpline number to help addicts quit. In a statement dated April 3, 2018, The Union ministry of health and family welfare confirmed that almost 85% area of the packet will carry warnings, numbers, and images. New warning will come to effect from September 1, 2018.
Packs would be enough to remind smokers of health hazards
Reportedly, the ministry has planned to have gruesome pictures of health hazards along with messages like, 'Tobacco Causes Painful Death' on the new packs. The quitting hotline number 1800-11-2356, which was launched in May last year, will be printed on them.
Apparently, seeing warning signs motivates smokers to quit
According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey report, 2017, 62% cigarette smokers, 54% bidi smokers, and 46% addicts of smokeless tobacco, thought of quitting after seeing warnings. Dr. Pawan Singhal at the Voice of Tobacco Victims said addicts who don't know whom to seek help from, will benefit from this. Calling it a novel idea, he added the anonymity of caller will further motivate them.
The steps being taken by ministry to put message across
Hoping that the printing of helpline number increases tobacco cessation, the text messages will be written in white font color on a red background. They would be printed in four colors with a resolution of minimum 300 dots per inch.
Looking at statistics: How India is burning with cigarettes
The quit smoking advertisements playing in a movie theatre may annoy you, but the grim reality of smoking in India is far worse. Reportedly, 50% of all cancers and 90% of oral cancers in India happen due to tobacco consumption. Tobacco is the reason for almost 40% of non-communicable diseases like lung disorders, and 12 lakh deaths in the country.
