Tuesday, October 8, 2013

New anti-tobacco spots released

PUNE: The ministry of health and family welfare recently released two new anti-tobacco spots titled 'Child' and 'Dhuan' to be screened in movies and on TV whenever smoking scenes are depicted. The spots have been made mandatory under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA) rules.

These spots have been dubbed in 16 Indian languages for a pan India coverage. It is mandatory for cinema halls to prominently display these spots whenever smoking scenes are shown as part of the movie.

As per the COTPA rules, the anti-tobacco health spots and disclaimers are being provided by ministry of health and family welfare. Two spots 'Mukesh' and 'Sponge' depicting harmful effect of usage of smokeless and smoking forms of tobacco are being used to disseminate anti tobacco message.

'Child' and 'Dhuan' have been developed to warn about the health costs of smoking and second hand smoke and of the penalties to be faced by violating the smoke free law. 'Child' focuses on the health risks of smoking and secondhand smoke, while 'Dhuan' especially models the behavior expected of business managers, advocates, enforcement officials, smokers and non-smokers. The spots have been developed by World Lung Foundation (WLF).

Tobacco use is an emerging health hazard and is the leading cause of death and disease in the world today, which is entirely preventable. Globally approximately 6 million people die each year as result of diseases caused by tobacco consumption. If urgent action is not taken, the death toll could rise to more than eight million by 2030.

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