Union Health Ministry Proposes Stricter Tobacco Regulations on OTT Platforms

Union Health Ministry's Proposed Regulations

NEW DELHI: The Union Health Ministry has put forth new amendments requiring non-skippable anti-tobacco health spots and disclaimers on various over-the-top (OTT) platforms. These streaming services, including Netflix and Amazon Prime, must display 30-second health warnings, along with 20-second audio-visual disclaimers, highlighting the dangers of tobacco use. The proposed rules will take effect as soon as users access the platform.

Details of the Proposed Regulations

This draft is officially titled 'The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Amendment Rules 2024', which introduces much stricter regulations compared to the previous 2023 guidelines. These measures apply to both Indian and foreign films, irrespective of their status in the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Background and Implications

In May 2022, India became the first nation to require OTT platforms to feature anti-tobacco warnings, mirroring those used in theatres and on traditional television. The current rules took effect on September 1, 2023, and now aim to enforce even more stringent measures concerning tobacco advertising and usage.