Govt to amend notification for depiction of smoking scenes in films

Anti-tobacco health spots of minimum 30 seconds shall be displayed at the beginning and middle of the films

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | September 24, 2012

Smoking scene by Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in consultation with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, has agreed to amend the Notification issued vide GSR 786(E) dated 27.10.2011 regarding steps to be taken by the film industry while depicting smoking scenes in their films.

As per provisions of the amended draft notification agreed to by the two Ministries, anti-tobacco health spots of minimum 30 seconds shall be displayed at the beginning and middle of the films displaying tobacco products or their use. Also, an audio-visual disclaimer of minimum 20 seconds on the ill-effects of tobacco use shall be displayed at the beginning and middle of the films displaying tobacco products or their use. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has agreed to bear all the costs relating to production of such health spots and disclaimers. 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 filmmakers at the time of their application for certification.

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 tobacco products or their use in the films. It has been agreed between the two Ministries to drop the clause that necessitated “UA” Certification for the films showing tobacco products or their use. Films showing use of tobacco products will now not be considered for “UA” certification on this ground alone.

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