Higher Tax to be levied on Cigarettes to end smoke culture
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Aizawl, January 30 2014: Higher tax is to be levied on tobacco products in Mizoram to fight smoking.

Mizoram Smoke Free Group led by its Chairman Lal Thanhawla who is also the chief minister of Mizoram today held meeting decided to hike the tax levied on cigarette, entrusting Taxation Department to decide on the rate of the hike.

Besides the group members, the meeting today was also attended by ministers including Lalsawta, R.Romawia, P..CLalthanliana, Lal Thanzara, Lalrinmawia Ralte and C.Ngunlianchunga.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that despite vigorous campaign having been led to do away with smoking and tobacco consumption, Mizoram is not yet a smoke free state.

However, thinking of years before now, we are progressing, although, in the mean time, there are yet many things to be done, Lal Thanhawla said.

The leader of the Mizoram Smoke Free Group said that smoking and tobacco consumption seems to be the biggest means with which Setan is tempting the Mizo Christians, adding, it is shameful as a community and as Christians to be a State having most number of smokers.

Talking of how tobacco affects the health of the Mizo people in a large scale, the Chief Minister said it is necessary to put concerted effort to bring about healthier living.

The Chief Minister acknowledged the zealous effort of some good-willed people who have been vigorously campaigning against smoking since the last 20 years.

He said that although people did not pay heed in the beginning, but now people are awakened.

Meanwhile, there a still a lot to be done to end smoking culture, he stressed.

State Health Secretary and MSFG Member Secretary Esther Lalruatkimi gave a report in the meeting on the steps taken in the fight against tobacco in Mizoram.

The chief minister-led meeting today, after prolonged discussion, decided to hike the tax levied on cigarette, entrusting Taxation Department to decide on the rate of the hike.

Explaining the decision to hike the tax on cigarette, Health Secretary Esther Lalruatkimi said this is not an intention to get more on tax, but rather a step thought to be a way to help the smokers end the unhealthy culture of smoking.

The meeting today, moreover, deliberated over the suggestion to remove tobacco products from neighboring Myanmar and Bangladesh from approved list of importing items, and decided to forward the suggestion to central government in writing.

Besides deciding to enforce more strictly the various sections under the prohibiting rules of COTPA, the meeting decided to accelerate more than before the public campaign to make Mizoram Smoke Free.

In terms of tobacco consumption, Mizoram is the highest in India with 67%, while Goa stands the lowest with 9%.As per Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 72.5% male and 61.6% female ate consuming tobacco and its products.

It was reported in the meeting today that between October of 2008 to December 2013, as many as 4180 people were caught for violation of anti-tobacco rules and were fined, amounting to Rs 1,54,6777.84 cartons of cigarettes and 837 tobacco packets have also been seized, the meeting learnt.

It was also mentioned that between February 2013 and December 2013, 1080 people visited Tobacco Cessation Clinic at Aizawl and Lunglei, among which 12.07% now gave up cigarette smoking; the percentage being better than national average 3%, it was noted.

Trainings and workshops and Church-based campaigns have also been organised in Aizawl and Lunglei 28 and 43 times respectively.

Mizoram Smoke Free Group led by the Chief Minister comprises 29 members.

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