Dimapur and Chümoukedima traders seek transition window for Nagaland tobacco ban, citing losses, policy clarity and enforcement concerns
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DIMAPUR — Joining a growing chorus of traders' bodies seeking relief from Nagaland's recent ban on tobacco-containing food products, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the Chümoukedima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) have appealed to the state government to provide a reasonable transition period for businesses to dispose of or return existing stocks purchased before the prohibition came into effect.
In a joint press release issued on Saturday, the two chambers expressed concern over the sudden ban on tobacco products, including pan masala, gutka and other related items, imposed by the government without prior notice.
The chambers stated that wholesalers, distributors, stockists, retailers and other members of the business community had legally procured these products after paying all applicable taxes, including GST, at a time when there was no indication of an immediate prohibition.
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According to the chambers, the abrupt enforcement of the ban has left traders with substantial investments locked in unsold inventories across the state.
While acknowledging and supporting the government's efforts to protect public health from the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, the DCCI and CCCI maintained that businesses should be given a reasonable and time-bound window to either return the products to manufacturers or lawfully dispose of existing stocks.
They argued that such a measure would help mitigate the significant financial losses currently being faced by traders and retailers. The chambers also sought clarification on the government's decision to impose the ban for a period of one year.
Questioning the rationale behind the duration, they asked whether the sale of the products would be permitted after the expiry of the ban and whether the intended public health objectives could realistically be achieved within a single year.
They further contended that if the products are considered harmful to public health, a longer-term or permanent policy would appear more appropriate.
The chambers also warned that the prohibition could encourage black marketing and illegal supply networks, potentially undermining the objectives of the ban while creating additional enforcement challenges.
Reaffirming their support for public health measures, the DCCI and CCCI urged the government of Nagaland to grant the business community a reasonable grace period to liquidate, return or otherwise lawfully dispose of existing stocks, providing relief to traders who had invested in the products through legitimate business channels.