The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Centre and all states following a public interest litigation (PIL) expressing worries about the sale of alcohol in discreet packaging like tetra packs, PET bottles, plastic sachets, and other portable containers. The notice was issued by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi during a hearing on a petition filed by an NGO. The petition seeks the establishment of consistent guidelines nationwide to regulate the packaging of alcohol, citing varied definitions in State Excise Acts that permit alcohol to be sold in various types of containers.
Certain alcoholic beverages are reportedly being packaged in containers resembling fruit juices, complete with fruit imagery and flavors, as highlighted during the hearing by the petitioner’s counsel, advocate-on-record Vipin Nair. The plea emphasizes the risks associated with such packaging, including consumption by minors, drinking in moving vehicles, health hazards, increased smuggling opportunities, ease of public consumption, and environmental threats. The petition also points out that these products are often marketed using fruit names and colorful designs, making them appealing, especially to younger consumers, due to their deceptive similarity to non-alcoholic beverages.
The petitioner organization, which has been advocating against drunken driving and underage drinking for over twenty years, argues that the lack of uniform regulations has led states to prioritize revenue over public health and safety concerns. Referring to provisions in different state excise laws, the plea calls for the apex court’s intervention in establishing uniform guidelines for liquor packaging nationwide, with a focus on public health, road safety, and environmental considerations. The petition seeks directions for the Union and states to adopt a uniform definition of “bottle” limited to clearly identifiable containers and to formulate guidelines addressing public health, road safety, and environmental issues.
