Alternative taxation policy for tobacco products soon
NEW DELHI: An inter-ministerial group to look into an alternative taxation policy for tobacco products would be set up soon in order bring down its use in India, the Health Ministry on Wednesday said.
Director of Department of Tobacco Control, Ministry of Health, Mr Binayak Prasad, said the group will comprise members from the Ministries of Labour, Finance, Agriculture and Health.
“The group will work out an alternative taxation policy for tobacco,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an international tobacco conference here.
Outlining the various initiatives of the Government to control tobacco consumption in India, Minister of State for Health Mr Dinesh Trivedi said comprehensive legislations to curb smoking have been enacted by India.
“In order to provide economically viable activity to various stakeholders, the ministry is collaborating with Central Tobacco Research Institute and Directorate of Agricultural Research to establish viable, sustainable alternatives to tobacco crops,” he said.
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Tags: tobacco policy
