Prices of cigarettes increased by Rs. 25. Price increase effective from today under 4-categories. Price increase by Rs. 5, Rs. 15, Rs. 20 and Rs. 25 per stick. Earlier price was Rs. 100.
In a move aimed at curbing smoking rates and promoting public health, the government has implemented a significant price increase on cigarettes.
The move has garnered mixed reactions from different segments of society. Advocates for public health and anti-smoking campaigns have applauded the decision, highlighting the potential positive impact on reducing smoking rates and related health problems. They argue that higher cigarette prices have been proven to discourage smoking initiation and help individuals quit the habit.
On the other hand, critics of the price hike argue that it may lead to an increase in illicit trade and smuggling of cigarettes.
Global Key facts
Tobacco kills up to half of its users.
Tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year. More than 7 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while around 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.
Over 80% of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries.
In 2020, 22.3% of the global population used tobacco, 36.7% of all men and 7.8% of the world’s women.
To address the tobacco epidemic, WHO Member States adopted the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2003. Currently 182 countries have ratified this treaty.
The WHO MPOWER measures are in line with the WHO FCTC and have been shown to save lives and reduce costs from averted healthcare expenditure.
