J&K bans sale of loose cigarettes, tobacco

The Jammu and Kashmir government has banned sale of loose cigarettes, ‘beedis’ and tobacco in the state with immediate effect in a bid to discourage consumption.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has banned sale of loose cigarettes, ‘beedis’ and tobacco in the state with immediate effect in a bid to discourage consumption.

The decision has been taken under section 7 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, an official spokesman said.

Cigarette consumers in Jammu and Kashmir are more than the national average as per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2010 and the move is aimed at discouraging the use of cigarettes and tobacco, the spokesman said.

He said the Centre and the state government along with voluntarily organisations have launched a vigorous awareness campaign to educate the masses about the ill effects of smoking and other tobacco products. The problems caused by them include diseases like cancer and other respiratory problems.

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