Beedi consumption higher than cigarettes in teens above 15

New Delhi, Nov 28: The consumption of beedis is higher than that of cigarettes in the age group of 15 years and above, Health Minister J.P. Nadda told parliament Friday. However, the government does not have any plans of changing the tax structure to curb its consumption, he told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

The World Health Organization's (WHO) 'Technical Manual on Tax Administrationa' (2010) has recommended that tobacco excise taxes should account for at least 70 percent of the retail prices for tobacco products. (Read: Want to quit smoking? Smell cigarettes and rotten eggs, fish in your sleep)

Nadda said as per the information received from the finance ministry, there is no proposal under consideration as of now to introduce a uniform taxation structure on cigarettes which covers all lengths and does not allow for product substitution of higher taxed cigarette lengths with lower taxed cigarette lengths. (Read: Why it is easier to quit smoking now than ever before)

Sourcce: IANS

Photo source: india.com

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