NEW DELHI: Films will have to display anti-tobacco health spots of a minimum 30 seconds at the beginning and middle of films displaying tobacco products or their use.

The Government has also said an audio-visual disclaimer of a minimum 20 seconds on the ill-effects of tobacco use will be displayed at the beginning and middle of the films displaying tobacco products or their use.

The Health and Family Welfare Ministry has agreed to bear all the costs relating to production of such health spots and disclaimers. These health spots and disclaimers prepared by the Ministry will be provided to the Central Board of Film Certification in digital beta format for distribution to the filmmakers at the time of their application for certification.

The Health Ministry in consultation with the Information & Broadcasting Ministry has issued a notification amending the Notification of 27 October last year regarding steps to be taken by the film industry while depicting smoking scenes in their films.

According to the amended notifications agreed to by the two Ministries, films showing use of tobacco products will also be required to display an anti-tobacco health warning in the form of a static message during the period of display of the tobacco products or their use in the films, in addition to the health spots and disclaimers.

It has been agreed between the two Ministries to drop the clause that necessitated "UA" Certification for the films showing tobacco products or their use. Films showing use of tobacco products will therefore not be compulsorily granted “UA” certification on this ground alone.

This follows protests by the film industry about the various provisions of the previous notification which they claimed violated their freedom of speech.