New Delhi: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, World Health Organisation South-East Asia Region congratulated India on becoming the first country in the world to regulate anti-tobacco warnings on OTT platforms and commended the country’s strong leadership for this landmark step.

In a message, Dr, Poonam said, “Congratulations India on becoming the first country in the world to regulate anti-tobacco warning on OTT platforms. Today’s move demonstrates India’s unstinted commitment to protect health of people from the harmful effects of tobacco. I commend the country’s strong leadership and all stakeholders for this landmark step.”

On World No Tobacco Day on May 31, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya released OTT guidelines for the regulation of online depiction of tobacco products in online curated content.

As per the guidelines issued by the health ministry, publishers of online curated content that display tobacco products or their use will be required to comply with specific guidelines.

“Anti-tobacco health warning message displayed as a static message must be legible and readable, with black font on a white background, and must include the warnings “Tobacco causes cancer” or “Tobacco kills”,” stated the guidelines.

Addressing the occasion today, Mansukh Mandaviya showed concern over rising tobacco consumption among the young generation, which is the future of our nation.