Ban On Sale Of Loose Cigarettes Before Budget Likely, Smoking Zones At Airports May Go Too

New Delhi: The Indian government may soon ban the sale of loose cigarettes to curb the use and sale of tobacco products. A Standing Committee of the parliament has recommended such a ban. The committee has also recommended doing away with smoking zones in all airports in the country. The government may announce the ban ahead of Union Budget 2023-24, WION reported.

While making recommendations, the Standing Committee has observed that even after the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, there hasn’t been an increase in the tax on tobacco products. The committee has also highlighted the risk of cancer in those who smoke or chew tobacco.

As per current tax slabs, 53 per cent tax is levied on cigarettes while smokeless tobacco attracts 64 per cent tax. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended Government of India that a 75 per cent tax must be imposed on tobacco in the country.

Around 350,000 people die every year in India due to smoking cigarettes. India’s National Council of Applied Economic Research conducted a survey in 2018 that showed 46 per cent of the people who smoke were illiterate while 16 per cent were college-going students.

Smoking in public places is already banned in India.