Tobacco or cigarette shops across the country will not be permitted to sell soft drinks, candies, and other eatables, and it will be mandatory for them to register with the local civic authority, according to a new government plan to curb use of tobacco products.

A Hindustan Times report said that in order to discourage tobacco use among people, especially the youth, the Union Health Ministry has asked the states to “develop a mechanism to grant permits to tobacco shops through the municipal authority”.

Arun Jha, Economic Advisor at the Health Ministry, told HT:

State governments have responded “positively” to the request and the Ministry has requested for the initiative to be implemented soon.