In its most recent report, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare suggested that the government prohibit the sale of loose cigarettes and raise taxes on all items related to tobacco use.
In its most recent report on cancer treatment, prevention, and diagnosis, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare suggested that the government enact a ban on selling single tobacco sticks. It also suggested that the government raise taxes on all tobacco products and use the extra money to promote cancer awareness and preventative measures.
The Committee found a critical need to discourage alcohol and cigarette use in the nation. It was mentioned that tobacco use, referred to as tobacco-related cancers and preventable, is responsible for around 50% of all cancers.
What Are the Suggestions, and Why Are They Being Made?
In general, the initiatives aim to reduce cigarette use and the availability of tobacco goods.
The paper makes the case that the government must act quickly to limit the sale of tobacco products, citing the National Health Policy’s (2017) goal of a 30% relative reduction in current tobacco usage by 2025. To do this, it suggests that the government outlaw selling single cigarettes and imposed severe penalties and fines on offenders.
In addition to promoting a smoke-free policy in workplaces, it advises that the government eliminate all designated smoking areas in hotels, restaurants, and public places like airports.
India has the lowest costs for tobacco goods, but according to the Committee, hence it needs to consider raising taxes on them. It suggests that cancer prevention and awareness initiatives could be funded with additional tax income.
The finding that mouth cancer accounts for the highest percentage of cancer cases in the nation led to the development of these measures.
The Committee also sought to outlaw their direct and indirect advertising and the use of gutka and pan masala. This is based on the finding that chewing tobacco is heavily advertised as a mouth freshener and accounts for more than 80% of tobacco consumption in India.
Why is There Such a Controversy About Single-Stick Cigarettes?
Buying a single stick of cigarettes is less expensive than buying a whole pack. Adolescents and young people, who may have little money on hand, may find this particularly appealing. People who may wish to try it out for the first time and haven’t started smoking regularly prefer single sticks as well.
A ban on single-stick sales would force a potential customer to purchase the complete pack, which may need to be more cost-effective, limiting the opportunity for experimentation and regular consumption. A hypothetical prohibition would require the consumer to carry the packet with them.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco exposure is unsafe, and all tobacco products are dangerous. Additionally, it claims that smoking cigarettes are the most typical form of tobacco use worldwide. In addition, an editorial in the medical journal Lancet in June 2020 stated that by 2030, 7 million annual deaths from smoking were anticipated to occur in low- and middle-income nations. The tobacco industry aims to replace individuals who are dying from smoking-related causes by recruiting young people in low- and middle-income countries, it stated.
Sales of single sticks can discourage smokers from quitting due to their price and ease of accessibility. According to the WHO, the extremely addictive nature of nicotine in tobacco products means that only 4% of users who try to stop using tobacco will be successful. Professional assistance and cessation drugs with a track record of effectiveness are two examples of this support, which can increase their odds of stopping successfully.
How Successful Would a Restriction on the Selling of Single Sticks Be?
According to Mr. Alexander, the prohibition on single sticks may be less effective in the absence of a vendor licensing system. How would you enforce the ban on selling single sticks of cigarettes if you allowed thousands and thousands of outlets to sell tobacco? He queries.
In terms of dealing with addiction, Mr. Alexander claims that since cigarettes wouldn’t be readily available everywhere, there would be less chance of relapse. While saving someone with a severe addiction would be challenging, he claimed that someone with a less severe addiction may still be saved.
- In its most recent report on cancer treatment, prevention, and diagnosis, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare suggested that the government enact a ban on selling single tobacco sticks.
- Buying a single stick of cigarettes is less expensive than buying a whole pack. People who may wish to try it out for the first time and haven’t started smoking regularly prefer single sticks as well.
- According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco exposure is not safe and all tobacco products are dangerous. Additionally, it claims that the most typical form of tobacco use worldwide is smoking cigarettes.
