New Delhi: The National Commission for Protection of Children’s Rights (NCPCR) Chairperson of Priyank Kanoongo has advocated an increase in taxes on tobacco products as well as on films, OTT platforms, and other media that utilize any items.
He said affordability and easy availability of deadly tobacco products is dangerous, especially for young people, and tax increases will not only make this product beyond limit, but the additional income obtained can be used for the treatment and rehabilitation of those suffering from tobacco-related diseases.
Experts have asked for making India free of tobacco during the week of the National Youth, celebrated from January 12-18 to mark Swami Vivekanda Jayanti.
Giving the Keynote address during the freedom of the webinar from tobacco: What India wanted ‘on the occasion of the National Youth Day, Kanoongo, who was the Chairman of the NCPCR of the Peak of the Indian Apex Indian child, advocated a tax increase for various tobacco products on various tobacco products.
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According to a statement, Kanoongo said that the affordability and availability of tobacco products was dangerous, especially for young people.
Additional income obtained from tax increases can be used for the treatment and rehabilitation of those who suffer from tobacco-related diseases, he said.
In addition to asking for an increase in taxes on various tobacco products, the NCPCR head also suggests increased taxes on films, OTT (over-the-top), and other media that indicate tobacco use in any form.
“The imposition of greater taxation on the media that displays tobacco use will require people to pay more and help prevent breeding tobacco products.
NCPCR also asks the government to use income from a fully tax increase in rehabilitation and preventive activities,” he said.
“There is a psychological warfare by tobacco companies.
They are targeting small children by positioning tobacco-related advertisements at their eye level at the point of sale and promoting tobacco products such as Gutkha and Beedi, with candy, sweets and toys.” Kanoongo said.
At present, India lost more than 13 lakh citizens every year to tobacco and cigarette smoke.
“The number of tobacco users is increasing and frightening to note that children aged between 13 and 15 years are 8.5 percent of them,” said Prof (DR) Uma Kumar, Head of the Rheumatology Department, AIIMS, New Delhi.
The use of long-term tobacco is dangerous and is the main cause of cardio-vascular problems, neurological disorders, strokes, reducing immunity, repetitive infections, respiratory diseases, and automatic immune conditions.
He called for various policy steps to protect young people from this threat.
Poonam Pandey, senior journalist, participating in the discussion strongly recommends tax increases on tobacco products to reduce its easy availability.
Arun Anand, senior writers and journalists, moderate webinars which are the result of collective efforts of interested citizens.
E-book, ‘what India wanted’, was released on this occasion.
This is a compilation of results from various polls and surveys that show more than 88 percent of respondents want amendments proposed to the tobacco control law to get into force.
The results of the poll also showed a sense of urgency between the masses to make India free tobacco.
A scientific survey conducted in 10 states and several Twitter polls carried out by various citizens concerned included in this e-book.
“Tobacco consumption is striking deeper roots in the country and increasingly swallowing our children and adolescents.
Children Semah 10 years now use tobacco products,” Latest Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4) stated.
Therefore, experts demand a tax increase and graduate from the amendment proposed to tobacco control law, COTPA, to ensure better prevention of tobacco consumption, the statement said.