Ban on sale of tobacco products: DCCI flays Nagaland govt. for inaction

After the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI), the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) has also taken a dig at the state government for its silence over the recent ban on sale of tobacco products by the Khango-led NSCN (K).

The DCCI media cell in a press release said it is shocked and disappointed by the “utter silence” of the state government even after a week the NSCN/GPRN (K) announced to ban tobacco products in the state of Nagaland.

 “While DCCI has no say in banning of illegal drugs and alcohol, the latter already banned under the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP), DCCI is of the expressed view that tobacco products cannot and should not be clubbed together with illegal drugs or alcohol,” DCCI said.

The trader’s body argued that in the first place, tobacco products are being sold with full knowledge and permission from both the Centre as well as state governments.

Also, the Centre gets maximum revenue from tobacco products and even the state governments get their share of Goods & Service Tax (GST), it stated.

It also stated that the blanket ban on tobacco products, which are being sold legally after paying all due taxes, will affect the livelihood of thousands of shopkeepers in all districts of Nagaland.

“Moreover, as evidenced by the current implementation of the NLTP Act, banning of tobacco products will only lead to black marketing, increase in prices of tobacco products and, ultimately, syndicate system,” DCCI said.

Pointing out that the ball is in the court of the state government to make a firm decision on whether selling of tobacco products, after paying all taxes, is ‘legal’ or ‘illegal,’ DCCI also reminded that the government cannot afford to remain complacent as the livelihood of the tobacco products dealers, distributors and thousands of petty shopkeepers are on the line.

“The government and its agencies must also immediately ensure that tobacco products dealers and shopkeepers are not harassed because of the ban,” it stated.

The DCCI further appealed to the NSCN/GPRN (K) to lift the ban in the interest of the state as a whole, especially the struggling business community.

Meanwhile, DCCI also cautioned shops selling tobacco products to strictly follow the COPTA guidelines and practice ethical trade. “Selling of tobacco products near educational institutions and to minors should be totally off-limits,” it stated.

Also read: CNCCI upset over ban on sale of tobacco products in Nagaland