To deter youngsters and the general public from tobacco consumption, a bill seeking ban on sale of loose cigarettes and beedis and regulation of its retail business and that of other tobacco products in Himachal Pradesh was introduced in the Assembly today.
The Himachal Pradesh Prohibition of Sale of Loose Cigarettes and Bidis and Regulation of Retail Business of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Assembly by state Health and Family Welfare Minister Kaul Singh.
"The bill has been introduced to discourage consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products by the general public and especially by the younger generation who purchase loose cigarette," the minister said.
"It also aims to reduce tobacco-induced deaths and diseases like disability, low productivity among others," he said.
The bill provides for fine up to Rs 50,000 and jail term up to three months for contravention of law in the first instance, and fine up to Rs one lakh and jail up to one year for repeating the offence.
No dealer would allowed retail business without proper registration. Violation of the provision would attract fine up to Rs 10,000 for the first time and Rs 15,000 for subsequent offences.
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