Chandigarh: Steadfast in their commitment to protect the health of the people, the Government of Punjab took a landmark decision to increase taxes on tobacco products to 55% last year but this year’s budget, the Government has proposed to rollback taxes on cigarettes from 55% to 22%.
The reasons being quoted in media are increase of illicit trade due to which tobacco consumption has increased besides Cancer relief funds are hurt due to less revenue & taxation department is now contemplating a proposal to lower the VAT on cigarettes to propel a rise in sales and thus ensure greater funds for cancer relief.
Project Director , Voice of Tobacco Victims, Ashima Sarin () urged the Government to protect the people ofPunjabfrom the harmful effects of tobacco products by increasing VAT on tobacco products. Cancer relief funds cannot be generated by sending more people to become victims of tobacco and further be diseased. She further added Illicit trade is a matter of weak enforcement by the Government and stern actions need to be taken to reduce the illicit trade &rolling back taxes is not the solution. Over 9 lac Punjabis will die (premature deaths) due to serious illnesses. She informed at the moment that States like Rajasthan has doubled taxes every year and on all tobacco products. Currently, Rajasthan has 65% VAT on ALL tobacco products
Amteshwer Kaur, Advocate, Municipal Councilor & also heading Generation Saviour Association, Mohali, said that Everyday 5500 children in India are initiating tobacco use which is very alarming and According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS 2010) released in Oct 2010, nearly 24 lakh of the adult population (15 years and above) of Punjab consumes tobacco product in some or the other form. she further informed that The cancer victims are part of Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV). VoTV is a victims' led initiative to sensitize law and policy makers of the dangers of extensive tobacco usage, tobacco industry activities, lack of stringent action against tobacco companies and growing plight of victims across the country.
Dr. Jatin Sarin, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology fromIVYSuperspecialityHospitalsaid Slowly and gradually the use of chewing tobacco is reaching at dangerously endemic levels in the country with over one million people annually inIndiadie due to tobacco related diseases, with over 2,500 people dying daily.Indiaspends approximately Rs 300 billion annually in both public and private spending on treatment of tobacco .