Leading medical experts and social advocates who have come together under the umbrella of "Tobacco Free Kerala" today welcomed the Kerala Government decision to raise taxes of cigarettes by 50 per cent during the fiscal year 2014-15.
Lauding the Oommen Chandy government for this frontline public health measure that will save precious lives by reducing consumption, this eminent section of the society feels that this is a well-intentioned move made at the right time.
Noted cancer surgeon and Director of Regional Cancer Centre and Vice Chairman Tobacco Free Kerala Dr Paul Sebastian said that the tax hike was a welcome move at a time when the incidence of tobacco-induced cancers, especially among youngsters in Kerala was on the increase.
The Government's decision to allocate three per cent of the revenues earned from the increase in tobacco tax to cancer care is also welcome", he said.
Dr K R Thankappan, Professor and Head, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies of Sree Chitra Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology said by deciding to tax cigarettes at 30 per cent, Kerala once again has proved that it was a leader in public health and has set a worthy example for the rest of the states in South India to emulate.
With the current revision from 22 to 30 per cent, Kerala has become a leader state in South India in the matter of cigarette taxes.
