Sale Of Loose Cigarettes May Be Banned Soon

The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday accepted the recommendations of an expert panel which has proposed a ban on the sale of loose cigarettes and also an increase in the minimum age of a person to whom tobacco products are being sold. 

The  panel has also proposed a bigger fine for violation of provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003.

Health minister JP Nadda in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha said —

“The Ministry has accepted the recommendations and a draft note for Cabinet has been circulated for consultation.”

Nadda said the expert panel has recommended —

“Prohibition on sale of loose or single stick of cigarette, increasing the minimum legal age for sale of tobacco products, increasing the fine or penalty amounts for violation of certain provisions of the Act as well as making such offences cognizable.”

Nadda also said the ministry has accepted the recommendations and a draft note for the cabinet has been circulated for inter-ministerial consultation. The recommendations will now be put before the Cabinet and will require a Parliament nod before they are implemented.

 

What are your views regarding this ban?? Do you think that there should be increase in minimum age of a person to whom tobacco products are being sold??
Do tell us your views in comments.