Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation seeks clarity and transition period on Nagaland's tobacco ban.
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DIMAPUR — Opposition to Nagaland's year-long ban on tobacco-containing food products continues to gather momentum, with the Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) becoming the latest body to seek a transition period and greater regulatory clarity.
The appeal comes after similar representations by the respective chambers of commerce and industry of Mokokchung, Kohima, Dimapur and Chümoukedima.
The DUCCF, in a press release issued on Sunday, appreciated the state government's commitment to protecting public health, particularly the younger generation.
However, it maintained that the sudden implementation of the ban without a reasonable transition period has created uncertainty and financial hardship for thousands of small retailers, vendors and business establishments that had legally procured stocks under valid licences.
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According to the DUCCF, while public health should remain a priority, policy decisions must also consider the economic realities on the ground, pointing out that tobacco trade has been a source of livelihood for many families and contributed significantly to local business activities.
It argued that an abrupt ban could unintentionally push consumers to neighbouring Assam, resulting in a substantial outflow of revenue from Nagaland's economy without necessarily reducing consumption.
The federation further contended that unless similar restrictions are enforced uniformly in neighbouring states, demand for tobacco products would simply shift across the state border, affecting local businesses while undermining the intended objective of the ban.
The DUCCF sought a minimum 30-day grace period to allow traders to clear or return existing stocks.
It also claimed that despite the notification, the Dimapur Municipal Council has yet to issue updated guidance or address concerns regarding licence fees already paid by traders who can no longer utilise their Tobacco Vendor Licences (TVLs).
The federation urged the municipal authority to provide either a prorated refund of the remaining licence fees or formally recognise a limited sell-out window for existing inventories.
It also called for clear guidelines on the products covered under the notification, wider consultation with business organisations, municipal bodies and civil society groups, and exploration of a regulated framework that balances public health objectives with economic sustainability.
The DUCCF suggested that a consultative approach involving all stakeholders would help formulate a practical policy that safeguards public health without causing unnecessary economic hardship to the people of Dimapur.