New Delhi, 12th December 2022: The government wants to ban the sale of single cigarettes to decrease the usage of tobacco products. The Standing Committee of Parliament allegedly recommended to ban the selling single cigarettes to decrease tobacco use.

On the recommendation of the Health Ministry, the Central Government banned the use and sale of e-cigarettes three years ago.

The Standing Committee of Parliament claims that the sale of loose cigarettes is affecting the effort to combat tobacco use.

As recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Indian government should impose a 75% GST on tobacco products. According to the most recent tax slabs, India charges a 22% GST on bidis, a 53% GST on cigarettes, and a 64% GST on smokeless tobacco.

Despite the implementation of the GST, the standing committee has observed that the tax on tobacco products has not increased much.