Tighter Norms for Smoking Scenes in Films, TV Programs

From 14th November 2011, the Union ministry of health and family has made it mandatory for all news films and television programs intending to show any on-screen tobacco use, to record a 20-second anti-tobacco disclaimer, explaining tobacco's ill effects. This disclaimer will be shown at the beginning and in the middle of the movie or TV program. A scroll of prominent anti-tobacco health warnings will have to be run at the bottom of the screen during such scenes.The rule also bans display of tobacco products in the promotional material or posters of movies and TV programs. It is now mandatory to crop or mask scenes displaying such brands or close-ups. All new movies or TV serials with smoking scenes or showing any form of tobacco use will have to give a valid explanation for the scene and will be issued a U/A certification. Such programs will be broadcast in the time slot when the under-18 viewership is expected to be minimal.

With the help of these new measures the government aims to discourage tobacco consumption, especially smoking among the youth. For effective implementation of these anti-tobacco measures, representatives from the health ministry will soon be made part of the Central Board of Film Certification.

Source-Medindia