M A I N   N E W S

Ban on smoking scenes in films, serials

New Delhi, May 31
The Government today announced a ban on smoking scenes in films and television from August this year and set up a high-level committee to handle surrogate advertising.

“Government has notified additional rules that ban screening of tobacco products by characters in movies or television. The notification comes into effect from August 1, 2005,” Joint Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Bhawani Tyagarajan told reporters here on “World No-Tobacco Day.”

For movies and television serials already made, the six provisions, introduced in the existing laws, require mandatory display or prominent scroll containing health warning when use of tobacco products is shown in them, she said.

The new provisions ban sale of tobacco products by minors and through vending machines and also makes it mandatory to display details of tar and nicotine content on all tobacco products, she said. — PTI

WHO award for Indian doctor

New Delhi, May 31
An Indian doctor is among the recipients of the World Health Organisation’s awards for contributing to the area of tobacco control.

The Indian, Professor Rama Kant, is a surgeon and has been involved in anti-tobacco activities with a number of anti-tobacco organisations, a WHO release said here today.

Among the other awardees are Indonesian Heart Foundation, Dr Nyo Nyo Kyaing from Myanmar, and Sanchal Tulabordee from Thailand, it said. — PTI