Display of nicotine and tar levels could mislead tobacco consumers, says Kerala High Court Center

The Secretary, Division of Tobacco Control, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Friday (July 10, 2026) informed the Kerala High Court that stating the exact percentage of nicotine and tar content on cigarette packs could mislead consumers about the health risks of consuming cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice VM Shyamkumar were informed that the Union government had deliberately dropped the order to disclose nicotine and tar content on cigarette packs.

The ministry said such disclosure would provide incomplete and potentially misleading information about the overall health risks associated with tobacco use.

It was further stated that the World Health Convention on Tobacco Control discouraged the listing of the number of harmful ingredients, as international experience showed that consumers often misinterpreted such information as indicating reduced health risks.

The affidavit was filed in response to a court motion to consider printing the exact amount of ingredients on cigarette packs. The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by M. Sangeerthan of Ernakulam seeking strict control over consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products such as removal of cigarette advertisements, control of age identification on sale of cigarettes and ban on smoking in public.

Published – 10 July 2026 20:20 IST