MANU/PIBU/1781/2023

Department/Board : Press Information Bureau

Date : 31.05.2023

Union Health Ministry releases OTT guidelines for regulation of online depiction of Tobacco Products in online curated content

Publishers of online curated content that display tobacco products or their use will be required to comply with specific guidelines

Anti-tobacco health warning message displayed as a static message must be legible and readable, with black font on a white background, and must include the warnings "Tobacco causes cancer" or "Tobacco kills"

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya appeals to people to break free from the shackles of tobacco use and embrace a healthier life

On World No-Tobacco Day, Union Health Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya released OTT guidelines for regulation of online depiction of Tobacco Products in online curated content, in the presence of Shri S. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare. Publishers of online curated content that display tobacco products or their use will be required to comply with specific guidelines. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India organized a hybrid event to observe World No Tobacco Day 2023, here today. The theme of World No Tobacco Day this year is "We Need Food, Not Tobacco."

Addressing the occasion, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya showed concern over rising tobacco consumption among the young generation, which is the future of our nation. The Union Health Minister appealed to people to break free from the shackles of tobacco and embrace a healthier lifestyle.

"It is time to create wide awareness among youth and the nation regarding the seriously debilitating and harmful effects of tobacco consumption", Dr Mandaviya stated. He mooted the idea to start a Lok Bhagidari campaign in mission mode through Jan Abhiyaan. Enlisting the measures taken by India to free the people from Tobacco addiction and prevent tobacco use, he highlighted that today's OTT guidelines will go a long way to dissuade tobacco consumption.

Salient features of new rules issued for Anti-Tobacco warnings on OTT platforms by Union Health Ministry: -

1. Health spots, messages, and disclaimers: Publishers of online curated content that display tobacco products or their use will be required to comply with specific guidelines. These include the display of anti-tobacco health spots, lasting a minimum of thirty seconds each at the beginning and middle of the program. Furthermore, publishers must exhibit........