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possibly write every story Reporters at trade publications acquired or merged with another
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Public Relations Inspiration Optimization.
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Are you writing press releases For Industrial Businesses Although a press release can help your
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are another multipurpose tool elevate your brand with PR. Perhaps advertising methods or newsletter
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of ways. maybe your company just successfully (https://blog.thomasnet.com/) R

Centre directs states to strictly enforce pictorial warning laws

The Centre has urged all states to strictly enforce the laws on pictorial warnings on tobacco product packets, which
came into effect recently. In a letter addressed to chief secretaries of states and Union territories, health secretary
Rajesh Bhushan said the pictorial warnings will help bring greater awareness and sensitize people about the serious
and adverse health consequences of tobacco use, especially among the youth, children and the illiterate.
"Effective implementation of the rules depends on concerted efforts of all concerned ministries, departments of the
government of India as well as state governments," he added.
The ministry of health and family welfare had notified the third amendment to the Cigarettes and other Tobacco
Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules, 2020, on 1 December. Bhushan asked states to take necessary steps to
ensure the provisions of the new rules are duly enforced.
In India, 270 million adults use tobacco; it kills more than 1.3 million every year. Several studies have also established
a connection between tobacco use and the spread of covid-19.
The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2016-17 by the Union health ministry had put to rest all apprehensions about
the effectiveness of pictorial warnings with 62% of cigarette smokers and 54% of bidi smokers saying they thought of
quitting because of the warnings covering 85% of the packets. Likewise, 46% of smokeless tobacco users thought of
quitting because of the warnings on the products.
Pictorial health warnings on tobacco products are the most cost-effective tool for educating people on the health
risks of tobacco use, according to the World Health Organization.
In India, where people use many languages and dialects, pictorial warning transcends both the language and illiteracy
barrier. The 85% pictorial warnings on bidi/cigarette and chewing tobacco packages manufactured and sold in India
resulted in 92% and 96% of adults (GATS 2016-17) becoming aware of the serious illnesses caused by smoking and the
use of smokeless tobacco, respectively. The findings also revealed that there has been a growing demand for cessation
centres as 55% of smokers and 50% of smokeless tobacco users were planning or thinking of quitting tobacco use.

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