The standing committee of parliament has suggested a first-ever ban on the sale of single cigarettes throughout the nation. Low income persons and young people can easily purchase such things thanks to the sale of single-stick cigarettes and untied tobacco products.
A prohibition on such sales is planned. In India, smokers typically purchase single cigarettes as opposed to full packs. This puts their health at considerable danger and contributes to the addiction of many young people to smoking.
The committee has also recommended the closure of smoking zones at airports to curb smoking menace. Speculations are also rife that there will be an increase in tax on tobacco products in the general budget. According to them, increasing excise on all tobacco products can be a very effective policy measure to address the immediate need to raise revenue by the central government. It will be a winning proposition for generating revenue and reducing tobacco use and related diseases as well. Increasing excise duty on all tobacco products will fetch substantial revenue for central government and make tobacco products less affordable, especially for youngsters. This will provide a solid foundation for reducing tobacco usage among vulnerable populations and have long-lasting impact on the lives of the country’s million tobacco users, deter children and youth from initiating tobacco use
