MAY 2011 - A new notification of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was issued on 27 May 2011, providing for strong pictorial warnings on both smoking and smokeless tobacco product packaging. Four pictures depicting lung and oral cancers will be published on such packaging from 1 December 2011. The warnings will be rotated every two years. More information can also be obtained from Dr Jagdish Kaur, Chief Medical Officer, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (jagdish.kaur2010@gmail.com).

MAY 2011 - A resolution issued on 25 May 2011 by the Minister of Health and Sports requires picture warnings to appear on the lower 50% of the front and back of tobacco product packages. Seven warnings have been adopted. In addition, information on the toxic constituents of tobacco products is required on the side of packages. Written health warnings already cover 50% of the front and back of tobacco product packaging in the country.

APRIL 2011 - Malta has announced that it is now mandatory to include pictorial warnings on tobacco packaging, in response to non-compliance from several retailers to Legal Notice 302 of 2009 on the use of such warnings. The Environmental Health Directorate in Malta has warned retailers that any further non-compliance will result in legal action, adding that all existing stock which does not comply must be removed from sale by 22 June 2011.

APRIL 2011 - An amendment to Act XLII of 1999 on the Protection of Non-Smokers and Certain Regulations on the Consumption and Distribution of Tobacco Products was passed by the Hungarian Parliament on 26 April 2011.

APRIL 2011 - A new tobacco control bill - the Tobacco Product Control and Regulatory Bill, 2010 - was approved by Nepal's legislature, the Constituent Assembly, on 11 April 2011.

APRIL 2011 - Ukraine has finalized requirements for pictorial warnings following the publication of a Decree on 4 April 2011 in the Official Journal of Ukraine.

MARCH 2011 - An amendment of the existing Tobacco Control Act was adopted on 28 March 2011. 

The amendment puts into effect stronger measures concerning the sale of tobacco products and the distribution of free samples of tobacco, and provides for higher penalties for non-compliance with the measures imposed by the law. 

More information is available from Chabani Bourhane, tobacco control focal point (chabanib@yahoo.co.uk) 

MARCH 2011 - The bill makes it mandatory to affix health warnings on tobacco product packaging, bans the sale of cigarettes to minors (under 18 years of age), strictly regulates tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion, prohibits smoking in public places including schools, airports and public buildings, and introduces regulations on the manufacturing, distribution and marketing of tobacco products in Nigeria.

FEBRUARY 2011 - A new comprehensive tobacco control act, adopted by the National Congress on 9 June 2010, entered into force on 21 February 2011. 

The law introduces a complete ban on smoking in public places; strictly regulates sales to minors under 21 years of age; bans advertising and promotion of tobacco products; and calls for health warnings containing images.

DECEMBER 2010 - The Cabinet has approved a new Tobacco Control Decree in December 2010.

The Decree restricts advertising, sponsorship, and promotion of tobacco products; regulates the labelling of tobacco-product containers, restricts the nicotine and tar content of cigarettes; and bans the sale of cigarettes to persons younger than 18 years of age.