Cess from tobacco to help stub out smoking

With tobacco accounting for 8 lakh deaths in the country—as per the World Health Organisation—the government, for the first time, ...

With tobacco accounting for 8 lakh deaths in the country—as per the World Health Organisation—the government, for the first time, plans to use the money generated from its sale for anti-smoking programmes.

The most visible change would be a list of contents on the cigarette pack and a graphic warning with the skull and crossbones sign, according to the Health Ministry’s plan to utilise the 10 per cent excise tax announced by the government on tobacco products.

‘‘The funds will be utilised in two ways. While the Rural Health Mission is priority, the anti-tobacco programme will get a substantial part of the cess. Tobacco control and implementation of tobacco laws is very important,’’ said Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, Minister, Health and Family Welfare.

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Apart from enforcement and monitoring, a mass media campaign to generate awareness will also be a major focus of the programme.

A part of the funds will also be used to set up a state-of-the-art laboratory to check the contents of cigarettes. The lab will be set up in collaboration with CDC, Atlanta. The Ministry is also planning to charge companies for testing their products.

Following the tests, tobacco products will list the contents on their packs. ‘‘It has to include the percentage of nicotine, tar and other ingredients. Since there is no such facility in South Asia, the government is planning to charge a fee from companies and utilise it again in the tobacco control programme,’’ said Dr Ramadoss.

The proposal is being finalised by the Health Ministry in response to a letter from the Finance Ministry last month, asking for the fund utilisation pattern.

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‘‘How much money will be utilised where will be decided once there is a clear picture of the revenue generated,’’ he said.

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