The next time any actor displays tobacco use in any movie or TV programme, he or she will have to record a 20-second anti-tobacco disclaimer, explaining tobacco's ill effects, which will be shown at the beginning and middle of the programme.

This has been made clear in new rules under the anti-tobacco Act. The rules, which come into force on November 14, 2011 also say all new movies with smoking scenes or showing any form of tobacco use will have to give a valid explanation for the scene and will be given a U/A certification.

"The rules have been notified after consultation with the ministry of information and broadcasting," officials said. For effective implementation of the anti-tobacco measures, representatives from the health ministry will be made part of the Central Board of Film Certification.

TV programmes showing tobacco use will also be required to give justification for the scenes and get necessary approvals, the rules say. These programmess will be telecast during a time slot with minimal under-18 viewership. According to the rules, an anti-tobacco health spot or message will have to be shown at the beginning and middle of movies and TV shows screening tobacco use.

In addition, a scroll of prominent anti-tobacco health warnings will have to be run at the bottom of the screen during the duration of these scenes both in movies and TV programmes. The rules also ban display of tobacco products in the promotional material or posters of movies and TV programmes and make it mandatory for cropping or masking of scenes displaying brands or close-ups.