JAKARTA: An Indonesian law requiring manufacturers to display pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs came into force on Tuesday, but anti-smoking campaigners said the rule was widely ignored.

The government had given the tobacco industry 18 months to comply with the 2012 regulation on tobacco control, which demands pictures or graphics on packs to warn about the hazards of smoking in addition to written warnings.

A government survey last year showed that 36 per cent of the population aged above 15 smoke, with average consumption of 12 cigarettes a day.

“The aim is to provide the community with honest and accurate information in the form of pictures so they can decide (whether or not to smoke),” Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi told reporters.

An anti-tobacco group, however, said compliance has been low so far.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2014