Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru had organised a press conference on 17th September 2016 at Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan to release the findings of compliance study for 85% pictorial health warnings on tobacco products. The fact Sheets of Karnataka study was released by Freedom Fighter and Social Activist Shri. H S Doreswamy, Minister for food and Civil supplies and consumer affairs GOK Shri. U T Khader, Senior BJP leasder and former Law Minister Shri. Suresh Kumar, Shri. Puttaswamy Gowda from Bharathiya Kisan Sangha, Shri. Mallikarjuna Jakati from Karnataka Krisika Sangha, Dr. U S Vishal Rao, head and Neck Oncologist and Member of High power committee for tobacco control GOK, Dr Pragati Hebbar from Institute of Public Health along with Mr.Senthil Kumar, a cancer survivor from Voice of Tobacco Victims who had initiated thanking petition on change.org appreciating the step taken by the government regarding 85% pictorial warning on tobacco products. 
Releasing the fact sheets, speakers highlighted the importance of larger pictorial warnings in safeguarding public health and appreciated the efforts of governments for the effective enforcement of new health warnings. During the event packets of major brands in all three categories(Cigarette, beedi, Smokeless) which were used for compliance study had been displayed to showcase the compliance level in our state. Dr. Pragati Hebbar and Dr Vishal Rao mainly focused on the findings of compliance study and also gave details about the efforts put by Industries to rollback pictorial warning using farmers and labourers as front group. Representative of farmers association explained that the new pictorial warning has not impacted negatively on farmers and also denied the claim made by the industries about the loss of farmers livelihood due to new pictorial warning.
PRESS RELEASES:
“70pc of cigarette products in K’taka comply with new pictorial warning rule.”
