Tobacco sellers protest about ‘licensing system’

Cigarette and bidi sellers in Himachal Pradesh, India, on Saturday protested against the government’s decision to make registration compulsory for tobacco-product vendors, according to a story in The Hindu Online.

The previous day the cabinet had decided to make registration compulsory, though it was not explained why it had thought this was a necessary step.

The vendors believe that bringing them under a ‘licensing system’ would harm their businesses, presumably, in part, because of the cost involved.