New rules for OTT films and web series: Anti-tobacco warning to be shown during scenes

On Wednesday, the Union Health Ministry issued new rules regarding anti-tobacco warnings on OTT platforms. According to this notification, it is mandatory for OTT platforms also to run such an anti-tobacco warning message as we see in cinema halls and TV shows.
If any online content publisher does not follow the new rules, then the ministry will take strict action against it. After regulating anti-tobacco warnings on OTT platforms, India has become a global leader in spreading awareness about the ill effects of tobacco consumption.
An Interministerial Committee consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, if the publisher of the online curated content does not comply with the provisions of the sub-rules, according to the ministry's notification. will take action automatically.
This action can also be taken on any complaint. After identifying the online curated content publisher, the ministry will also issue a notice to the content publisher asking for the reason behind such a mistake. Along with this, a chance will also be given to modify the content.
Tobacco addiction has been recognized as the biggest cause of preventable death and disability worldwide. Every year lakhs of people die due to tobacco consumption. Binoy Mathews, Program Manager, Voluntary Health Association of India, says, “It is a wonderful idea to spread awareness about the ill effects of tobacco consumption through entertainment. This will make India the world champion.
India accounts for about 13.5 lakh deaths every year from tobacco and is also the second largest consumer and producer of tobacco. Tobacco kills about 8 million people globally every year, of which 1.35 million are Indians.