Policymakers urged to keep taxes on tobacco items unchanged

PROGGA, a research and advocacy organisation, recently urged the policy makers to keep the proposed tax rates on cigarettes, bidi and other tobacco items unchanged in the Finance Bill-2014. It has sent letters to all Members of Parliament (MP) requesting them not to change the proposed tax rates on tobacco items in the budget for fiscal year (FY) 2014-15. It, however, appreciated the proposed upward revision of tobacco tax but termed it 'insufficient'. The organisation urged the MPs to consider public health issue and not to be influenced by lobbying of the tobacco companies. The organisation, however, expressed concern over possible changes in tobacco tax in the Finance Bill citing example of previous years.

    — FE Report