COTP (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products) film rules

Considering public health as a priority issue, the Government of India has extended the COTP (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products) film rules to OTT platforms.

About Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA, 2003)

• COTPA, 2003 was enacted to prohibit advertisement of, and to provide for the regulation of trade and commerce in, and production, supply and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products in India.

Provisions of the act:

• The Act prohibits smoking of tobacco in public places, except in special smoking zones in hotels, restaurants and airports and open spaces.
• Advertisement of tobacco products including cigarettes is prohibited.
• Tobacco products cannot be sold to person below the age of 18 years, and in places within 100 yards radius from the outer boundary of an institution of education.
• Tobacco products must be sold, supplied or distributed in a package which shall contain an appropriate pictorial warning, its nicotine and tar contents.

COTP (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products) film rules:

• Section 5 of COTPA primarily bans the advertisement, promotion, and sponsorship of tobacco products, and this prohibition also extends to the depiction of tobacco products or their use in films and television programs.
• For films and TV shows featuring smoking scenes there should be:
  • A strong “editorial justification” explaining the necessity of the display of the tobacco products or their use in the film, given to the CBFC.
  • Anti-tobacco health spots, of minimum 30 seconds duration each at the beginning and middle of the films and TV programmes.
  • A prominent static message at the bottom of the screen when tobacco products are displayed.
  • An audio-visual disclaimer on the ill effects of tobacco use, of at least 20 seconds duration each, in the beginning and middle of the film and TV programme.

Ref: Source