Health Ministry notifies new rules for anti-tobacco warnings on OTT platforms
Union Health Ministry has notified new rules for anti-tobacco warnings on OTT platforms. The notification mandates OTT platforms to carry anti-tobacco warning messages. Every publisher of online-curated content displaying tobacco products or their use shall display anti-tobacco health spots, of minimum thirty seconds duration each at the beginning and middle of the programme.
Strict action will be taken if the publisher of online content fails to comply with the new rules. An inter-ministerial committee consisting of representatives from Health Ministry, Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Electronics and IT Ministry shall take action suo motu or on a complaint.
The notification came on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day being observed today. This year, the theme of the day is We Need Food, Not Tobacco. According to the World Health Organisation, the 2023 global campaign aims to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers and encourage them to grow sustainable, nutritious crops.