All films with scenes depicting cigarette smoking will now have to show anti-tobacco health spots of minimum 30 seconds at the beginning and middle of the films, displaying tobacco products or their use.
Also, an audio-visual disclaimer of a minimum 20 seconds on the same should be displayed at the beginning and middle of the films displaying tobacco products or their use.
The Health Ministry has agreed to bear all the costs relating to production of such health spots and disclaimers, an Information & Broadcasting Ministry release said here on Friday.
“These health spots and disclaimers prepared by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will be provided to the Central Board of Film Certification in digital beta format for distribution to the film makers at the time of their application for certification” the release added.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in consultation with the Ministry of I & B, has agreed to amend the notification issued in this regard on October 27, 2011.
In addition to the health spots and disclaimers, the films showing use of the tobacco products shall also be required to display an anti-tobacco health warning in the form of a static message during the period of display of the products or their use in the films.
Both the Ministries agreed to drop the clause that necessitated “UA” Certification for the films showing tobacco products or their use.