GUWAHATI: Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday informed that in 2007-08, revenues of Rs 7.98 crore were earned as tax from sale of tobacco products in the state.
While replying to a question of Independent MLA Pranab Kalita in the House on Friday, Mr Sarma said that the manufacturers earned Rs 25 crore in 2007-08. "We want to bring complete prohibition on sale of tobacco products. However, some neighbouring states also join hands, one will face a practical problem in implementing total prohibition. Till now, no state has gone for total prohibition."
Mr Sarma added that according to a survey, 3.20 lakh packets of tobacco products, including cigarettes and gutka, are sold everyday in the state. In 2008-09, the revenue from sale of tobacco products increased by three percent."
He informed, "The finance department is readying the list of officers who will be empowered to impose fine on violators under the provisions of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003. The violators are liable to be penalized with a Rs 200 fine."
He added that the incidence of smoking and consumption of other tobacco
items is growing among students. Under the State Tobacco Control Cell, anti-tobacco programmes have been initiated in schools of Kamrup and Jorhat districts as a pilot project. The programme has been rolled out in 70 schools covering more than 8,000 students. "We have already declared Saraibahi school in Jorhat district as a tobacco-free school this October."
Social Plugin