Come April next year, 85 per cent of space on cigaratte packs and other tobacco products in India will have to be mandatorily covered with graphic and text warnings of health hazard, making the country top ranker in terms of display of caution on packages.

After implementation of the decision, anyone selling cigarettes or tobacco products without the specified warning and the nicotine and tar contents will be liable to one-year imprisonment or a fine of Rs 1000 or both on first conviction.

For second or subsequent conviction, the term of imprisonment may extend to two years and with fine which may extend to Rs 3,000.

According to the notification issued by the union health ministry today, of the 85 per cent space, 60 per cent will be devoted to pictoral warnings while 25 per cent will be covered by textual warnings. At present, the space covered by the warning is 40 per cent.