A chronology of pictorial warnings against smoking

All cigarette packets sold in India will now carry a pictorial warning about its ill-effects, joining an increasing league of nations who have similar laws.

Nov-2001: Supreme Court bans smoking in all public places.

May-04: A law banning tobacco advertising, sponsorship of sports and cultural events by tobacco companies, smoking in public places and sale of tobacco products to people younger than 18 years comes into force.

May-08: Government notifies the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules 2008. Rules challenged in court.

Sept-08: The Supreme Court refuses to stay the government notification seeking to impose a ban on smoking in public places from October 2.

Oct-08: The Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules 2008 comes into effect. Law has stiff fines for offenders.

May-09: All cigarettes manufactured in India after June 1 must carry specified illustration of diseased lungs on front of pack.

GLOBAL MILESTONES

Dec-2000: Canada implemented graphic health warnings on cigarette packs.

Jul-04: Cigarettes sold in Singapore started displaying health warning messages covering at least 50 per cent of the cigarette package front and back.

Mar-06: In Australia, most manufactured and imported tobacco products require the packets to sport graphic health warning labels with images and warning messages.

Oct-08: UK became the first nation in EU to introduce graphic picture warnings on cigarette packets. The deadline for compliance is September 30, 2009.