B.S. Patil, J.

1. In all these writ petitions, common questions arise for consideration. Petitioners in these writ petitions have challenged the validity of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules, 2008 (for short, 'COTP Rules, 2008') as amended by the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules, 2014 (for short, 'COTP Amendment Rules, 2014'). Indeed 2008 Rules (unamended) are also challenged in some of the writ petitions.

2. In furtherance of the purpose and object of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (for short, 'COTPA') and to prohibit advertisement of, and to provide for regulation of trade and commerce in, and production, supply and distribution of, cigarettes and other tobacco products, COTPA has been enacted. The enactment provides for mandatory requirement to carry such specified warnings against the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products on packages of such products in s