Page 3 - Tobacco

Godfrey shareholders reject proposal to sell unmanufactured tobacco

Shareholders of Godfrey Phillips India have rejected the company's proposal for a related party transaction to annually export unmanufactured tobacco worth up to Rs 1,000 crore to Philip Morris Products SA. Philip Morris Products SA is a member entity of the group to which Philip Morris Global Brands Inc, USA -- a promoter shareholder of the company. As many as 57.94 per cent of the shareholders present at Godfrey Phillips India's annual general meeting on September 1 voted against the "material related party transaction between the company and Philip Morris Products SA". The proposal was to continue supplying unmanufactured tobacco to Philip Morris Products SA on an arm's length pricing and non-exclusive basis, subject to the condition that the aggregate value of the sale/export of the unmanufactured tobacco is up to Rs 1,000 crore in a financial year. The resolution was supported by only 42.06 per cent of the total votes polled in the AGM. An ordinary resolution is passed by a .

Experts stress on making regulatory framework to reduce tobacco consumption

In a series of conclaves to explore alternative approaches for reducing tobacco consumption, experts have underscored the need for a dynamic regulatory framework accommodating safer alternatives and empowering adult smokers to make informed decisions. At the interactive seminars held across Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai, over 100 doctors and public health experts proposed a comprehensive framework to generate scientific evidence that supports harm reduction strategies and promotes a healthier India. Dr Chandrakant S Pandav, a global public health expert, said, "There is a need for a balanced approach, considering both the potential harm reduction alternatives and the regulation of tobacco products." "Research and science-based approaches are crucial in distinguishing different tobacco products. It is important to consider safer alternatives for individuals who are finding it challenging to quit smoking, particularly given the additional challenges posed by the grey market," he said.

Public health groups urge GST Council to raise cess on tobacco products

Public health groups along with doctors and economists have urged the Goods and Services Tax Council to increase compensation cess on all tobacco products in order to generate additional revenue for the government. They argued that such as a step of higher taxation will also motivate millions of tobacco users to quit and prevent youngsters from initiating tobacco use. According to them, tax revenue from tobacco could significantly contribute to the increased need for resources and augmenting the health infrastructure. "There has not been any major increase in tobacco taxes since the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017 and all tobacco products have become more affordable over the past three years," Bhavna Mukhopadhyay, Chief Executive, Voluntary Health Association of India, said. The total tax burden (taxes as a percentage of final tax inclusive of retail price) is only about 52.7 per cent for cigarettes, 22 per cent for 'bidis' and 63.8 per cent for ...

GST Council meet: Stricter tax regime for tobacco items likely in phases

No consensus yet on retail sale price-based levy on some items

ITC's FMCG revenue up 20% in FY23 as it aims to de-risk from tobacco biz

ITC's revenue growth is impressive as compared to 9 per cent in FY22 and 11 per cent in FY21

40% cancer cases caused by tobacco, alcohol; no clue in 20% cases: Expert

"The maximum number of patients of breast cancer and cervical cancer are found in women in urban areas. Cervical cancer patients are found more in rural areas than breast cancer patients"

Plea to I&B on smoking, tobacco warning: Prevent authority duplication

The OCCPs' letter argues that the I&B Ministry drafted the IT rules of 2021 only after a detailed study of global best practices, making them well-founded

Netflix, Amazon, Disney-backed group protests India's tobacco rules: Report

As part of India's anti-tobacco drive, the health ministry last month ordered streaming platforms to insert static health warnings during smoking scenes within three months

Netflix, Disney and Amazon to challenge India's tobacco rules for streaming

As part of India's anti-tobacco drive, the health ministry this week ordered streaming platforms should within three months insert static health warnings during smoking scenes

Most tobacco quitters in India from Uttar Pradesh: NTQLS-VPCI survey

A survey of calls received by the central government's National Tobacco Quit Line Services (NTQLS) has shown that most of the tobacco quitters in the country are from Uttar Pradesh. The survey findings were released by the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI) on 'World No Tobacco Day' observed on May 31. The VPCI survey based on NTQLS data revealed that 71,39,473 interactive voice response (IVR) calls were received till April 30, 2023 since May 30, 2016. Out of the total number of IVR calls received by this centre, 20,43,227 calls were counselled, including 9,96,302 inbound calls, 26,80,657 outbound calls, and 3,91,160 registered by the call centre. Most of the callers were from the state of Uttar Pradesh, it said. According to the survey, 1,56,644 (40 per cent) individuals studied had successfully given up tobacco use. Of these, the maximum 1,23,508 calls were received from Uttar Pradesh. Dr Raj Kumar, director, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute said, I would like to work wi

WHO stresses on policies to help tobacco farmers shift to growing food crop

On the eve of World No Tobacco Day, WHO on Tuesday called upon its partners to support governments in developing policies to help tobacco farmers shift to growing food crops that would provide them with a better life culminating in supporting national economies and ensuring food security. Effective tobacco control involves tackling demand and supply as envisaged in the WHO Framework on Tobacco Control (FCTC), said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia. While the focus of tobacco control programmes is on reducing tobacco demand, the strategies to reduce its supply need to be balanced with the demand reduction for achieving an overall reduction in tobacco use prevalence, she said. The theme of this year's World No Tobacco Day is "We need food, not tobacco". The campaign aims to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers and encourage them to grow sustainable and nutritious crops. It also aims a

Meghalaya health authorities rope in religious bodies on tobacco awareness

Health authorities in Meghalaya have turned to religious leaders to seek their help in spreading awareness on tobacco-related cancer, officials said on Wednesday. Meghalaya records about 8,000 deaths per year due to cancer out of which 70 per cent are tobacco-related cancer cases, they said. The state also has a record 131 cancer cases per 1 lakh population and this is ten times the national average, cancer surgeon at the North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences Dr Caleb Harris told PTI. At the institute alone, about 1200 cancer cases are recorded annually and about 750 800 cases are tobacco-related cancer cases, he said adding that esophageal cancer, the most prevalent in the state, is caused by use of tobacco, alcohol and betel nut, and hence is preventable. Involvement of religious leaders would go a long way in this regard as they are in a position to influence the masses effectively. It was imperative, NEIGRIHMS director Nalin Mehta said a .

Health Ministry to launch 60-day 'Tobacco Free Youth Campaign' on May 31

The Union Health Ministry is planning to launch a 60-day pan India campaign on the theme 'tobacco-free youth' on May 31 which will focus on taking steps to prevent initiation of tobacco use among youngsters and assisting users to quit. Tobacco use has declined but data reveals that its use is still unacceptably high among adolescents and adults in India. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), current tobacco use among young adolescents (1315 years) in 2019 was 8.5 per cent and in the previous round (2010), it was 14.6 per cent - a decline of 42 per cent. Several initiatives like 'tobacco-free educational institution' are part of the campaign being planned for World No Tobacco Day observed on May 31. In a letter, Joint Secretary of the Health Ministry V Hekali Zhimomi urged states and Union Territories to conduct special drives for enforcement of the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commer

Elaichi ads or chewing tobacco surrogates?

The prevalence of surrogate advertising for chewing tobacco during the IPL is raising questions about who is responsible for oversight and enforcement

Delhi HC upholds ban on the manufacture, sale of gutka, pan masala

Noting the "direct and pernicious impact" of smokeless tobacco on public health, the Delhi High Court Monday affirmed a ban imposed by the food safety commissioner on manufacture, storage and sale of gutka, pan masala, flavoured tobacco and similar products in the city. A bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma set aside a September 2022 decision of a single judge of the high court quashing the ban and allowed the appeals filed by the Centre and Delhi government against it. The court opined that there "existed no justification" for the quashing of the notifications and dismissed the objections raised by entities in tobacco business against the prohibitory notifications issued from 2015 till 2021. "We find ourselves unable to sustain the impugned judgment rendered by the learned Judge. These appeals shall consequently stand allowed. We find no merit in the challenge raised in W.P.(C) No. 3362/2015 (against the ban). It shall, in consequence, stand dismissed," said the ...

Tobacco in gunny bags to attract 28% GST, 71% compensation cess: AAR

No new product emerges from the post-coating process, rules authority in Gujarat

Centre allows sale of excess tobacco produced by registered growers

The government on Saturday said it has allowed sale of excess tobacco produced by registered growers on auction platforms for the crop season 2022-23. It has also permitted sale of unauthorized tobacco produced by unregistered growers without any penalty on the platforms in Karnataka for the crop season 2022-23. "Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has considered to allow the sale of the excess flue cured Virginia tobacco produced by registered growers and unauthorized flue cured Virginia tobacco produced by unregistered growers without any penalty considering the low production during the 2022-2023 Karnataka Crop season," it said. In Karnataka, during this crop season, 40,207 farmers cultivated FCV tobacco in an area of 60,782 hectares. The total production of FCV tobacco in Karnataka remained at 59.78 million kgs against the crop size of 100.00 million kgs fixed by Tobacco Board , due to continuous rains during months of June and July 2022. The decision of imposi

GST Council to discuss GoM reports on tax evasion by gutkha firms on Feb 18

The GST Council in its meeting on Saturday is likely to discuss setting up appellate tribunals and mechanism to curb tax evasion in pan masala and gutkha business, sources said. The report of panel of ministers on Goods and Services Tax (GST) on online gaming and casinos may not come up for deliberation at the February 18 meeting of the GST Council, chaired by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising her state counterparts. The items, which could not be discussed by the Council in its last meeting on December 17, 2022, would top the agenda of the 49th GST Council meeting on February 18, the sources said. The report of the Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by Odisha finance minister Niranjan Pujari, on checking tax evasion by pan masala and gutkha industry would be taken up for discussion. The report of the GoM on Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunals (GSTATs) was set up in July last year under the chairmanship of Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala.

Economists, health experts pitch for higher taxes on tobacco products

Economists and public health experts have welcomed the duty hike on cigarettes in this year's budget and pitched for higher taxes on more tobacco products to make them unaffordable and India tobacco-free in "Amrit Kaal". The hike in national calamity contingent duty on cigarettes by 16 per cent clearly shows the government's intent to further strengthen the tobacco control policy and levy higher tax on "sin" products that claim more than 13 lakh lives in the country every year, noted economist and BJP spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal said. Participating in a discussion on "Amrit Kaal: A Journey towards Tobacco-Free India", organised by Tobacco Free India, a citizen group platform, Agarwal said a hike in prices on such harmful products through tax policy is the most effective way to reduce tobacco consumption. "This can be done by implementing 'triple A' concept: cutting down 'affordability' and 'availability' of tobacco items by hiking tax while making people 'aware' of its harmfu

Consuming nicotine in pregnancy raises risk of sudden infant death: Study

Infants whose mothers have used snus, a moist oral tobacco product, during pregnancy ran three times the risk of sudden infant death, according to a new comprehensive registry study. The risk was much lower if the mother had stopped taking snus before the first antenatal visit, the study said. The researchers, from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, concluded that all types of nicotine products should be avoided during pregnancy. The study is published in the journal Pediatric Research. "Fortunately, the incidence of sudden infant death is very low, but we can see that taking snus or smoking while pregnant is associated with an increased risk," said Anna Gunnerbeck, paediatrician at the Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital and researcher at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet. While it is known that smoking during pregnancy is a risk factor in sudden infant death, little research has been done on snus and other nicotine products, the study