Exhibition on world’s tobacco warnings

Pictures of mutilated lungs, throats and lips. Not quite what you expect to find at the India International Trade Fair (IITF). But at the Hall No 1 of Pragati Maidan this is exactly what you will find. An exhibition of pictorial warnings on tobacco products from 15 countries has been set up at the 30th IITF by NGO HRIDAY, Public Health Foundation of India and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids to compare pictorial warnings on tobacco products in different countries.

“The truth is being hidden from people by showing blurred and fuzzy pictures of x-ray reports, mutilated lungs and scorpions, which have no relation to the risks associated with tobacco use,” said Dr Monica Arora, director, HRIDAY.

The exhibition is also trying to gain public support through signature campaigns, opinion polls and warning walls and has managed to get 2000 signatures since it opened four days ago.

Ten schools also visited the exhibition. “After seeing the bold warnings, I believe that the warnings should show the real picture,” said Madhav Jain, a DLDAV student.

The exhibition comes weeks before the date for the revision of the pictorial warnings on tobacco products. World Health Organization officials also visited the exhibition on Friday.