No Eatables at Cigarette Shops as Govt Plans to Reduce Tobacco Use

The Union Health Ministry also wants tobacco shops to be registered with the local civic authority.

A health warning is printed on all cigarette packs sold in India. 

(Photo: Reuters)

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:

The sale of tobacco products to minors must be tracked and there should be no advertisement of tobacco products... These shops must not sell non-tobacco products such as toffees, candies, chips, biscuits, soft drinks, etc, that may attract non-users.

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