At a webinar organized by Tobacco Free India, a citizens’ initiative, experts supported the recent recommendation of the Group of Ministers (GoM) to increase the 35 percent ‘Sin Tax’ for tobacco products from the existing 28 percent.
New Delhi: With an important GST Council meeting over tax rationalization set to take place, health and economic experts have demanded a higher ‘Sin Tax’ on tobacco and similar products harmful to humans. This would check their consumption while further strengthening public health and the economy.
Experts from ‘Tobacco Free India’, a citizens’ initiative, have endorsed the recommendation of the Group of Ministers (GoM) for a 35 percent ‘Sin Tax’ slab for tobacco products, increasing from the current 28 percent. They stressed that this move will help contain tobacco consumption. (Representational)
Health and economic experts demanded a sin tax on tobacco and harmful products at higher rates than the current slab before the crucial GST council meeting, where the tax rationalization may be discussed in great detail to curb their consumption and thereby bolster public health and the economy.
At a webinar on ‘Tobacco Free India’, a citizens’ initiative, experts supported the recent suggestion of the Group of Ministers (GoM) to raise the existing 28 percent to 35 percent in the ‘Sin Tax’ slab on tobacco products.
They claimed that raising the tobacco tax would not only save lives but also strengthen the economy and advance the dream of a healthy Viksit Bharat.
They emphasized that this measure would reduce tobacco consumption and finance preventive healthcare programs.
“Tobacco-related diseases impose an unsustainable burden on India’s health system. Tax increases have been shown worldwide to reduce tobacco consumption effectively,” said Dr Alok Thakar, Head of the National Cancer Institute, Govt. of India and Professor at AIIMS, New Delhi.
He also urged the government to bring all tobacco products under a robust tax net so that no one shifts to cheaper and hazardous alternatives.
The GST Council, headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, will meet on December 21 to discuss the recommendations made by the GoM.
