India, Aug. 16 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed a rule that requires tobacco manufacturing companies to display new health warnings with color images on cigarette packets and in advertisements to promote greater public understanding of the negative health consequences of smoking.

If implemented, it will be the most significant change to cigarette labels in the UNited States in more than 35 years.

The color images, depicting some of the lesser-known, but serious health risks of cigarette smoking, will have to be printed prominently on the cigarette packets. FDA has proposed 13 cigarette health warnings.

The proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register on Friday. The public have time to comment on it until...