NGO Demands Higher Tax Slab Over Bidis to Save Precious Lives

By 121 News

Chandigarh 30^th May:- Consumer and health activists have come together to show concern over how a lower GST rate for bidis than for cigarettes will hurt the health of millions. The national NGO Citizens Awareness Group, headquartered in Chandigarh has informed that while the GST Council is still debating the structure of rates, there is overreaching consensus that tobacco needs to be taxed at the highest rate.

While voicing his concern over the issue, the chairman of Citizens Awareness Group, Surinder Verma said that Bidis are mostly consumed by the poor strata of the society and keeping them under a low tax regime will not only be detrimental to public health but also anti poor. The central government should pay attention in this regard in its upcoming GST meeting to be held on June 3. We request that bidis should be taxed in highest slab of more than 28 per cent. Besides, It is disappointing that some states are in favour of lower taxation on bidis which shows that they are ignoring the health concerns over the commercial gains..

As per the relevant date over 1 million deaths in India every year are tobacco related and almost two thirds of tobacco consumers in India actually consume bidis leading to debilitating diseases and even death. According to a report published by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2008, Titled  'Bidi Smoking and Public Health', it reviewed 15 studies conducted in India. It stated that bidi smoking poses a very high risk for cancer and in many cases bidi smokers were at greater risk for oral cancer, stomach cancer and lung cancer than non-smokers.

Ashim Sanyal, COO, Voluntary Organisation in Interest of Consumer Education (VOICE) said that Bidis are the most commonly used tobacco product in India, accounting for 64% of all tobacco consumption. Also Bidi's are disproportionately consumed by the poor and contribute majorly towards the tobacco death which needs immediate attention since it is making consumers poorer. Hence law makers should put Bidis in the highest GST Rate slab to discourage its consumption and save lives.

The forthcoming 3^rdJune GST Council meeting is hence a historic fiscal opportunity the Government should utilize to prioritize it's stated public health intentions- one of the fundamental pillars of the rate fitment exercise.