(a) whether the domestic demand of cigarette and other tobacco products has increased
during the last two years;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to put a ban on the production and export of tobacco
products including cigarettes in order to reduce its consumption; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) & (b): According to available data the domestic consumption (total number of units sold)
of cigarettes during the year 2010-11 was 111487 million sticks as compared to 111860 million
sticks during the year 2009-10 showing a decrease in consumption by 0.33%. However, the domestic
consumption (total number of units sold) of cigarettes during the year 2011-12 was 116166 million
sticks showing an increase of 4.19% as compared to the previous year.
(c) & (d): There is no proposal to put a ban on the production and export of tobacco products
including cigarettes. Manufacturing of cigarettes and cigars using tobacco is subject to
compulsory industrial licensing under the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951.
No industrial licence has been granted for manufacture of cigarettes since 1999, on grounds
of health. Also, in order to discourage the consumption of tobacco products, the Government
has enacted the “Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and
Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA), 2003â€.
Also, the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations,
2011 dated 1st August 2011, issued under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 lays
down that tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products..
By virtue of the same regulation, pan masala, if it contains tobacco and nicotine cannot
be manufactured or sold