Cigarettes to be stubbed out in Kannada films

Bangalore: There is bad news for Kannada film heroes who appear smoking cigarettes on the silver screen.

The Regional Censor Board has decided to implement norms of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on the use of cigarettes in films.

Speaking to media persons here on Monday, K Nagaraja, Regional Officer of Central Board of Film Certification, Bangalore, said the rules will be implemented from November 14.

"We had a meeting with Health and Family Welfare Department authorities on October 24. It was decided to implement the rules from November 14. We have already applied this rule to Kannada films, Vishnuvardhana and Jedarahalli," says Nagaraja.

As per cigarettes and other tobacco product rules 2004, the owner or manager of the cinema theatre where an old Indian or foreign film, displaying tobacco products or its use is being screened, shall screen anti-tobacco health spots or message, of minimum 30 seconds duration each at the beginning and middle of the film or television programme.

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The films that have cigarette smoking scenes would be given U/A certificate.

The Regional Censor Board will insist the producer to include a disclaimer of minimum 20 seconds duration by the concerned actor regarding the ill effects of the use of such products in the beginning and middle of the film or TV programme.

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The rules prohibit the display of tobacco products or their use in films and television programmes.

The rules also prohibit promotional materials and posters of films and television programmes depicting tobacco products or their use in any form.