“Smoking is injurious to health” how often do we hear this message? How many times have we seen Mukesh die because of Guthka before a movie began? But have these messages really sunk in? The answer is always negative. Smoking cigarettes is and has been a form of relaxation and is done by scores of Indians daily. But now Maharashtra government is trying to adopt a method which they believe can help put an end to this addiction. Maharashtra now becomes the first state in India to ban the sale of loose cigarettes and beedis. In France, a man tried walking to Spain for cheap cigarettes. Read on to find out.
Maharashtra First Indian State To Ban Sale Of Loose Beedis & Cigarettes
The Maharashtra government has banned the sale of loose cigarette and beedis. Any consumer will now have to buy the whole packet to purchase them. The reason cited by the government is that a single stick of loose cigarette or beedi does not have any specific health warning on it which is in the public interest. Therefore, the State government has issued a notification in this regard. The legal age for smoking tobacco could also be increased.
Also Read: Mumbai’s Iconic Wankhede Stadium To Soon Be Open For Tourists & Fans
This has been issued under subsection (2) of section 7 of the cigarette and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and commerce Production, supply and Distribution) Act, 2OO3 (Act No. 34 of 2OO3). But traders and consumers have not taken this puff from the State government, all too well. One vendor in Parel said, “Not everyone can afford to but the whole packet, our sales will decrease.”
Also Read: Rent A Campervan In Maharashtra And Discover Wilderness Like Never Before
Some People Call This A Gimmick As Government Cannot Regulate If A Trader Sells Loose Cigarettes Or Not
While chain smokers have a different opinion altogether. Sayed Mehboob, a regular smoker said that such warnings hardly deter him. “Regular smokers will smoke irrespective of any warning,” said Sayed. “The state government’s move may even backfire as those who smoke one daily will be tempted to smoke more if he/she is given the full packet,” he added. But this initiative has been called a gimmick by many who say that the government does not have the mechanism to check whether any trader is selling loose cigarettes or not and in the end, it is just an eyewash. Well, only time will tell if this decision helps curb smoking addictions in the state. Meanwhile, watch this video to plan a visit to other cities in Maharashtra apart from Mumbai.
