Centre asks OTT channels to carry anti-tobacco info

India, on Wednesday, became the first country in the world to regulate anti-tobacco warnings on OTT platforms with the government issuing a notification that mandates health warnings.
Now, publishers of online curated content that display tobacco products or their use will be required to display anti-tobacco health spots, lasting a minimum of thirty seconds each at the beginning and middle of the programme.
The publishers will have to exhibit anti-tobacco health warnings as a prominent static message at the bottom of the screen during the display of tobacco products or their use.
Furthermore, the health warning message, health spot, and audio-visual disclaimer has to be in the same language as used in the curated content. The rules will come into force within three months from the date of its publication in the official gazette.
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the regional director of WHO South East Asia Region, congratulated India for taking lead in regulating anti-tobacco warnings on OTT platforms.