Ban on loose cigarette sales proposed

A task force set up to consider ways of strengthening India’s tobacco regulations is recommending a ban on sales of loose cigarettes, which make up 70-75 percent of the industry’s volume, according to a story in the latest issue of the BBM Bommidala Group newsletter.

The task force is recommending also:

• Increasing the size of cigarette pack graphic warnings from 40 percent to 80 percent;
• Increasing the minimum age for smoking from 18 to 25;
• And increasing the penalty for smoking in public places from Rs200 to Rs20,000.

The Health Minister, Harsh Vardhan, said that the proposed amendments to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act were likely to be placed before the Cabinet during the winter session of parliament.