Anti-Tobacco Warnings on All OTT Platforms: Govt dismisses media reports, calls for strict enforcement

New Delhi: In light of recent news publications claiming an "uneasy compromise" between the Union Government and Over-the-Top (OTT) streaming services regarding the inclusion of smoking warnings in their content, the Central Government has firmly asserted that such reports are wholly inaccurate and misleading.

Also Read:Anti-tobacco warnings on all OTT programmes: Health ministry amends rules

Considering public health as a priority issue, the Government of India has extended the COTP (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products) film rules to OTT platform also.

OTT rules 2023 became operative from 1st September 2023. Under these rules, now all OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney + Hotstar, Jio Cinema, Sony LIV, ALTBalaji, Voot etc. have to display anti- tobacco health spots, anti- tobacco health warning as a prominent static message and audio-visual disclaimer on the ill-effect of tobacco use as prescribed in the rules.

" This step of the Government has been commended by various public health organizations and experts. By bringing OTT under the tobacco control rules, India has become a world leader in tobacco control measures. Hence, the media report is not factually correct and does not reflect the correct picture of the Union Govt’s commitment towards improving public health as one of its priority duties," the centre added 

All OTT platforms are required to strictly comply with the provision of the OTT Rules 2023 as it became effective from 1st September 2023. There is no compromise with the rules and action will be initiated by the Government for any non-compliance with the OTT Rules 2023.

Also Read:AIIMS Bhopal opens tobacco cessation clinic