GUWAHATI: Assam is set to ban the sale of unpacked or "loose" cigarettes. This is in the backdrop of the Centre drafting a new law that suggests selling of loose cigarettes should be banned along with scrapping of smoking zones and rooms inside restaurants and airports.
Also, the minimum legal age of smoking has been increased from 18 to 21.
The said changes feature in the latest draft of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Amendment) Bill 2020 prepared by the Health Ministry of India.
"This is authentic news and we will be acting according to the new law drafted by the Centre," Assam state excise department PRO, Sailendra Pandey, confirmed to G Plus.
The decision of prohibition on the sale of loose cigarettes will also have a significant effect as tobacco companies will find it harder to add more consumers and clear stockpiles.
The decision to ban loose cigarettes was taken so that students and others belonging from economically weaker sections are discouraged to smoke, said a senior government official to The Economic Times.
Since cigarettes are sold loose, they become economically more accessible to people, especially the students,” the official stated.
“At the same time, they miss the message and warning on the packs,” he said.
