Displaying quantity of nicotine and tar might mislead tobacco consumers, Centre tells Kerala High Court
The Indian Union government informed the Kerala High Court that it refuses to mandate the disclosure of nicotine and tar levels on cigarette packaging. Officials argue that such information could mislead consumers into believing certain tobacco products are safer than others.
Why it matters
The case reflects the conflict between consumer transparency and public health strategies aimed at discouraging tobacco use.
The Secretary of the Tobacco Control Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, informed the Kerala High Court on Friday (July 10, 2026) that displaying the exact percentage of nicotine and tar levels on cigarette packaging might mislead consumers in terms of health risks in consuming cigarettes and other tobacco products.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V.M. Shyamkumar was informed that the Union government had deliberately refrained from mandating the disclosure of nicotine and tar content on cigarette packaging.
The Ministry stated that such disclosure would provide incomplete and potentially misleading information regarding the overall health risks associated with tobacco consumption.
It was further stated that the World Health Convention of Tobacco Control discouraged the display of the quantity of harmful ingredients as international experience had shown that consumers frequently misinterpreted such information as indicating reduced health risks.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in