Experts, Doctors, Victims urge for 40% tax under GST on all tobacco products to curb the epidemic of cancer

Experts, Doctors, Victims urge for 40% tax under GST on all tobacco products to curb the epidemic of cancer
Proposed 26 % sin rate on tobacco to negatively impact revenue and public health
A Sin tax rate below 40% would certainly make all tobacco products even more affordable to youth and other vulnerable populations.

Jaipur,  November 1st, 2016 :  While conversion to GST is generally a good thing, the GST Council's proposal on October 20th for 26% GST sin rate will be seriously injurious to health! Fixation of sin tax on tobacco at less than 40% would amount to making tobacco products affordable to youth, blunting the edge of India's tobacco policy. The sin tax is intended to pay for the damage caused to society by products like tobacco, and also to raise their prices to reduce their usage.  Fixing the tax rate at 26%  would defeat both purposes; it would slash current revenues from tobacco and encourage consumption of tobacco products among vulnerable populations, including children and youth, by making tobacco products more affordable.

India has the second largest number of tobacco users (275 million or 35% of all adults in India)   in the world – of these at least 10 lakh die every year from tobacco related diseases. Tobacco-use imposes enormous health and economic costs on the country. 

There is certainly an overarching consensus that goods that are harmful to society categorized as “sin” such as tobacco be taxed at the highest rate under GST as recommended in the Chief Economic Advisor report which

h seeks a 40% GST sin rate on all tobacco products including cigarettes, bidis and chewing tobacco.  The GST council meeting that concluded on October 20th proposed a much lower 26% GST sin rate which would have significant impact on the revenue as well as the health of our nation, both of which require serious consideration.  The rationale for a sin tax is twofold, to pay for the damage caused to society by products like tobacco, and secondly, to increase the price and reduce their usage.  A 26% rate would defeat both purposes – it would significantly reduce current revenues from tobacco and would actually make tobacco products more affordable and encourage consumption, especially among vulnerable population including children and youth. 

According to Dr. Rijo John, Assistant Professor, IIT Jodhpur, “Compared to a GST Sin rate of 40%, imposing a 26% Sin rate would reduce total tobacco tax revenue by almost one fifth (17%, or roughly Rs.10, 510 crores) even if the government retains the current excise on tobacco products post GST. Clearly, 26% Sin rate will be well below the rate required to maintain a revenue neutral position for tobacco and will significantly reduce tax burden on ALL tobacco products since the existing average VAT rates themselves are higher than 26% on most tobacco products.”  

Tobacco-use imposes enormous health and economic costs on the country.  The total direct and indirect cost of diseases attributable to tobacco use was a staggering Rupees 1.04 lakh crore ($17 billion) in 2011 or 1.16% of India’s GDP.  

“A much lower GST rate would make all tobacco products even more affordable to youth and other vulnerable populations, leading to the impact of the tobacco epidemic becoming more severe driving up health care costs and resulting in productivity losses. This will certainly lead to an increased number of fatalities per year, which is not a good news for any country. I firmly believe & urge that the government should tax the tobacco products at very high rate to ensure it discourages mass consumption” Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Oncologist, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai 

Approximately 48 percent of men and 20 percent of women consume tobacco (35 percent of the adult population overall) - of these at least 10 lakh are dying each year from tobacco related diseases. Bidis comprise 48 percent of the tobacco market, chewing tobacco 38 percent and cigarettes 14 percent so it is evident that bidis account for a significant portion of those deaths. 

According to, Dr.Pawan Singhal, Associate Professor at SMS Hospital & State Patron of Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV),  “The current tobacco tax differentiates significantly between various forms of tobacco products (such as bidis, smokeless tobacco and cigarettes). Continuing to sell cheap, virtually tax-exempt bidis to the underprivileged, even in the new GST system, will ensure that the poor continue to be trapped in vicious cycle of poverty and ill health, exacerbated by affordability and addiction which causes them to spend more on tobacco and less on food, healthcare and education. We would urge the central and state governments to tax all forms of tobacco including bidis at 40 percent under GST regime, to insulate the population from its ill effects.”

“With 85% of smoked tobacco being consumed as Bidis, a large percentage of the 10 lakh tobacco related deaths occur because of bidi use. Therefore, treating bidis under the highest category for sin products to attract maximum tax would not only save the lives of lakhs of poor Indians but would also help reduce the overwhelming health disparities between various strata of society. The government should treat such issues on a priority basis & ensure that there is no distinction made amongst all forms of tobacco and are taxed at highest possible rates so as to keep our most vulnerable populations away from falling prey to it”

"I lost my husband at a young age due to tobacco. I am suffering because of a wrong 'personal choice' made by him. I and my two daughters were not only pained emotionally but devastated financially. How can even anyone think of giving any kind of subsidy to this factory of widows and orphans? Government should not be seen supporting an industry that destroys 10 lac families each year for amassing vulgar profits.” Mrs. Sumitra Pednekar, wife of Maharashtra's Former Home and Labour Minister Satish Pednekar , who died of oral cancer.

Based on current scenarios under consideration, a 40% Sin rate combined with the existing excise tax and top-up state rights to tax tobacco appears to be the best scenario for public health and revenue.  This will not only help us maintain the current tax burden on tobacco, and will prevent more Indians from falling prey to life-threatening diseases and caught in a cycle of perpetual poverty!

Tibet conductor of Indian culture: Puraram Chowdhury

Reporter @ Prathavi Raj Goyl

-Woolen Association inaugurated the Business Center
jalor / Bhinmal, 23 October
Puraram MLA Choudhary said that China's occupation of Tibet in particular our neighbor and friendly nation comes not only his culture but also is the carrier of culture. Chowdhury said that the occupation of Tibet by China Muukt resident still to make his country's independence, fighting battles. MLA Chaudhary Sunday farmers' market in the city on the road to Tara Devi Tibetan refugee woolen Association was speaking at the opening of the commercial center. Woolen lawmaker Chaudhry inaugurated the center by cutting a ribbon in a formal and simple ceremony.

MLA Chaudhary said that we should come to their livelihood, these people do not bother to honor them in some way. He said that too many of us who are outside the borders of the land for their livelihood. On this occasion, Deputy Municipal Jayruparam Mali rightly said Tibetan residents are hardworking and honest. Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association state vice president Niranjan diameter advocate Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association said over the years the autonomy of the Tibetan people and their fundamental rights, is struggling. BJP said Bhojani Nagrdhyksh Brtsinh refugee status to Tibetans in India and in other cities for their livelihood is the business of woolen fabrics.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before the photo MLA Chaudhary Programme Shuaruat of lighting the lamp. Newly CI Ram came to his business in the city, these refugee citizens will make every effort that he has no problems in getting the law does not. Tibetan civilians, according to the head of animate and Sangay account clad Tibetan tradition to welcome guests thanked all. Bharat Tibet Friendship Association spokesman division of the occasion, Union Prithviraj Goel, Calsinh Nrsana, Dnsinh Kawatra, fine diameter, Bgwateeprasad diameter, Shahzad Khan, Anjana Devaram, Tibetan nationals Tisngi, including Shrwasi Sangi said.

MPs, Doctors, Tobacco Victims and Public Health Advocates Appeal for Higher Taxes on Tobacco Products under the GST Regime

Jaipur, October 17th: It is well known that tobacco and tobacco products are globally recognized as “sin goods” on account of their serious adverse impact on public health.  Practically all major countries in the world subject tobacco products to high rates of consumption taxes with a view to garner additional revenue on one hand and discourage its use on the other. Higher taxes are particularly effective in reducing tobacco use among vulnerable populations, such as youth, pregnant women, low-income smokers and chewing tobacco users.

Voice of Tobacco victim, Sambandh Health Foundation, MPs, Doctors, Victims of Tobacco Use and Public Health Advocates have appealed to the GST council to recommend and accept a high tax rate of 40 percent under GST on all types of tobacco products including cigarettes, bidis and chewing tobacco to discourage their use and addiction amongst Indians.

A comprehensive economic reform like GST offers the government a unique opportunity to tax tobacco uniformly at the highest GST rate of 40% to and save millions of Indians from dying prematurely of tobacco related diseases.

“Government should make tobacco prohibitively expensive in GST era. There is no justification for giving any subsidy to a product that kills every second user prematurely”, Dinesh Trivedi, MP, Trinamool Congress and Former Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.

Ashwini Kumar Chaube. Ex Health Minister of Bihar and MP, Bharatiya Janta Party – “As a Health Minister of Bihar I had banned gutka and raised taxes on tobacco products including bidi. I am sure GST council will put tobacco in highest tax category. It will save millions of lives”.

Tobacco-use imposes enormous health and economic burden on the country.  Each year, almost 1 million Indians die from tobacco-related diseases in India.  The total direct and indirect cost of diseases attributable to tobacco use was a staggering Rupees 1.04 lakh crore ($17 billion) in 2011 or 1.16% of GDP. Tobacco-attributable direct medical costs alone are around 21% of national health expenditure.  Indeed the costs of tobacco are far greater than what the Indian government/states gain in tobacco excise revenue (just 17% of total health cost).

Even as the industry is opposing the recommendations to impose the ‘sin tax’ rate of 40 percent on tobacco, it is important to note that tobacco taxation in India is way below global standards. According to Dr. Rijo John, Assistant Professor, IIT Jodhpur, “A recent report from WHO shows that current cigarette taxes as a percentage of retail prices in India are lower than even neighboring countries such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and rank 80th in the world. A 40% GST rates + central excise duty at the current levels would just about maintain the current tax burden on tobacco products. It is also important to allow states to maintain their right to impose top-up taxes on tobacco products, in order to actually make tobacco and tobacco products less affordable over time.”

“I see no logic in giving tax subsidy to bidi (or any tobacco product) in GST. With current tax pattern on bidi, consumer and the nation are losers whereas handful of business families (bidi industry owners) are making vulgar profits. Most of the Bidi Industry families wield great political clout. They violate every law related to minimum wages, child labor, healthy workplace etc. Excise and Tax violation remains rampant in this unorganized industry. It is shocking that there is no tax on Bidis in many states. All tobacco products should be taxed very high in GST era”, Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, Oncologist, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. 

According to, Bhavna Mukhopadhyay, CEO, VHAI “The GST regime should ideally act as a deterrent to the consumption of health hazard causing substances such as Cigarettes, Bidis etc. through higher taxes. All differentiations should be done away with regards to tobacco and tobacco products and taxed at the highest slab under GST, since lower GST rates would contribute to their affordability and end up promoting their increased consumption amongst most vulnerable sections of population pushing them below the poverty line.” 

Bidis which comprise 48 percent of the tobacco market, (as compared to chewing tobacco which is 38 percent and cigarettes 14 percent) have been subjected to very low central and state taxes under the false pretext of protecting bidi rollers’ livelihood. However, the reality is that low taxes and exemptions only benefit the bidi industry owners. “We strongly support the highest level of tax for bidis under GST and petition that some of these bids taxes are used to improve our wages/living conditions as well as provide alternative livelihoods”, says, Nazim Ansari, Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Jan Sewa Sansthan (representing around 6000 bidi workers in Uttar Pradesh).

Public Health fraternity emphasized how critical it is to effectively regulate and tax all forms of tobacco uniformly under GST regime to protect India’s most vulnerable populations – the time has come for the government to step up to protect India’s 67.5 million bidi smokers from an untimely and painful death. A healthy and productive citizen will contribute more to nation building and help in realizing India’s dream of becoming a world economic power. 

BSF outskirts shelf-Rajnath

Barmer 08 October BSF is active on the border. Young is involved in protecting the border with promptness. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday after meeting in Barmer Munabao border post Jwanane Ptrkarane spoke to.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived on a day's visit Munabao Jawanone encouraging soldiers during the conference, saying that it is heartening that the border security system is satisfactory. He Jwanane problems with knowing assured all possible help from the central government. Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh was guard of honor. Union Home Minister Singh during the visit Munabao BSF officials apprised of the security systems. The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the Conference Hall near Munabao saplings. Union Home Minister Singh Jwanane joined in with the big dinner. Speaking at a military conference in Munabao Jwanane He's encouraging. The Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, BSF Director General KK, Barmer-Jaisalmer MP Col Col Sonaram Chaudhary, BSF Inspector General Ajay Kumar Tomar, Inspector General of Police Hwasinh Gumria, Mkpi.askbati DIG, Barmer sector pratul DIG Gautam, district Collector Sudhir Sharma, SP Singla Dakggndeep, departmental officials were present, including Baotou MLA Kailash Chaudhari. Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the western outskirts of the helipad on arrival was received by the BSF and administrative officials.

Sayla, handed over a memorandum demanding Inquiry

Reporter @ Sukhdev Singh rajpurohit Jalore / Sayla. Nvodn Jawahar Vidyalaya student studying in the murder of an impartial probe Jasraj AND give the appearance of suicide of those who take strict attired Sayla Kshatr demanding Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria's Suthar society logo Friday Sayla subdivision officer's name to Mohanlal Portal The memorandum was handed over. Villagers the memorandum said in September 26 grams Tilvasani in Jodhpur JNVs Vidyalaya Class 11th topper Jasraj son Bgaram Suthar age 17 years resident Dhudhada Tehsil Luni, by killing the tree were hung and the entire case of suicide as attempted to. Students were bruises on the legs and bodies were unloaded from a tree before the police arrive. The day of the funeral of student Jasraj Dhudhada village received a letter from a man in the unknown was clear that the students had been murdered jasraj. The murder of student Jasraj was cleaning the room in a hurry and his bags were searched. All these things indicate that the student has been murdered Jasraj. The villagers the case in view of the seriousness and sense of community throughout Kijanc case by getting a qualified police officer demanded strict action against Doshio. The Hstiml Suthar, topaz Suthar, Amar Singh, Laxman Suthar, Sanvlaram, Jayntilal, Kewaram Chaurau, Manaram, Chhaganlal Suthar, Sukhraj Asana, Narendra Sayla, light, Nwaram, Devaram, Kaluram, Dolaram Tura, Bhanwar Lal brothers Sayla society, including the Were .

Sayla, Rangoli competition was held

Reporter @ Sukhdev Singh Rajpurohit

Jalore / Sayla. Swami Vivekananda Government Model School in the town's Rangoli competition was held under the Clean India campaign. Vidyarthyyo excited by the program participants. In which the first, second and third place to the principal members Karan Kamlesh Kumar Singh was handed the award. Principal Kumar Singh Chhatrao students to attend the Clean India mission campaign giving all the details in their homes decided to use the toilet. Muhlle street cleaning in the same principal Vidyarthyyo said to him when he was a mess spread information about the Clean India campaign offered the mission.

Barmer, five days without electricity in the border areas

Reporter @ jaswant Gaur 

Barmer. Gagria border area around 10 villages have been without electricity for the last five days. In this respect, the BJP Minority Morcha Nathu Khan Smeja Sangh and BJP leader Ashraf Ali met the District Collector and Chief Engineer Power discoms said light from the past five days are not often aware of the authorities to take action in spite of are not being. In this respect, the District Collector has directed the concerned department immediately and get a grip light problem. BJP Minority Morcha Department of Electrical Energy Minister Pushpendrasinh Ranaut too casually these days in the border region to people's problems by acquainting not noticed by the officer demanded strict instructions.