Call for excise duty hike on tobacco products in Union budget

Hyderabad: Public health groups, doctors and researchers have urged the Union Ministry of Finance to increase excise duty on all tobacco products including cigarettes, bidis and smokeless tobacco in the upcoming Union Budget of 2022-23, which can be a very effective policy measure to address the immediate need to raise revenue by the central government. […]

Hyderabad: Public health groups, doctors and researchers have urged the Union Ministry of Finance to increase excise duty on all tobacco products including cigarettes, bidis and smokeless tobacco in the upcoming Union Budget of 2022-23, which can be a very effective policy measure to address the immediate need to raise revenue by the central government.

“Increasing excise duty on all tobacco products will fetch substantial revenue for central government and make tobacco products less affordable, especially for youngsters. Requesting the Finance Minister to augment revenue and reduce health harms,” said Bhavna Mukhopadhyay, Chief Executive, Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), in a press release.

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Noted health economist and adjunct professor, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi, Dr Rijo John said that the tobacco industry in India has been virtually enjoying an extended tax-free season on their products since the introduction of the GST as there hasn’t been any major increase in tobacco taxation. “As a result, tobacco products have become affordable. The Union budget must take a considerate view of public health and increase tobacco taxes significantly,” he said.

Senior surgical oncologist, Yashoda Hospital, Dr K Sreekanth said that there is ample proof that tobacco increases risk for severe Covid infection. “It is in the interest of tobacco users as well as for the country to increase taxes on all tobacco products, which will reduce their affordability and consumption,” he said.

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