JAMMU : Jammu and Kashmir Government today banned chewable tobacco products in the state.
Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather while presenting his 13th budget in the state Assembly said,”the use of products containing chewable tobacco is much more dangerous. Many deaths in very miserable circumstances are caused every year due to consumption of these products.”
The Minister said, “to save the society from the dangerous consequences of use of chewable tobacco, I propose to impose a total ban on import, manufacturing, transportation, stocking and sale of chewable tobacco and products like pan masala, gutka, khanini and other similar products which contain chewable tobacco as one of its ingredients.”
He further said with a view to discourage the hazardous habit of smoking, taxation has been used as a tool from time to time.
“I have proposed to increase the existing rate of VAT from 30 per cent to 40 per cent on raw tobacco and in the rates of VAT on cigarettes and other related products,” Mr Rather added. (AGENCIES)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel