News- Times of India
July 17, 2007
The skull and bones symbol is the most easily recognised warning sign. Areas or products with this sign are avoided. To do otherwise would be to court danger, even death. Then why is the information and broadcasting ministry coy about using the sign on tobacco product packages?
In countries where the issue is taken seriously to safeguard public health, graphic health warnings are accompanied by statements like: 'Smoking can cause a slow, painful death' and 'Tobacco smoke can kill babies', covering 40-90 per cent of surface area of the package. In India, most cigarette packs carry a statutory warning: 'Cigarette Smoking is Injurious to Health'. In fine print, located at the bottom of the face of the packet, the warning, barely visible, is more in the nature of an apology. Cautionary notices warning cigarette smokers against the ill effects of tobacco are more an obligatory ritual than a serious campaign to deter tobacco users.
That all tobacco products — including cigarettes, bidi and gutka — ought to display the skull and bones sign was recommended by a standing committee of Parliament in the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Bill, 2000. In the wake of growing opposition from tobacco growers, members of Parliament and ministers have become reluctant to support any overt display of deterrent signs on tobacco products.
The argument is that such signs would scare consumers away from these products, adversely affecting demand, forcing a million workers out of their jobs. This, however, need not happen. Tobacco companies, like ITC, for instance, are diversifying to hotels and agro-products, moving away from tobacco, and more jobs are being created in these areas. Even if it does cause temporary dislocation, that by itself does not make smoking a healthy activity that cannot be discouraged. Society often has to assert choices in favour of outcomes that enhance the general well-being of people even if there is a temporary cost to bear for certain groups. Symbols are important in a country like India where literacy rates are low and superstition rides high.
Bidi and gutka are consumed largely by the poor, most of who are illiterate. When developed countries worldwide are moving away from tobacco use, by imposing bans in work and public places and levying heavy fines on violators and vigorously promoting anti-smoking awareness campaigns, why are countries like India and China acting shy?
