FAIFA urges Centre for vocal-for-local in tobacco policies

The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), on Friday, said that PM Modi’s vocal-for-local campaign should be applicable to the tobacco control policies. The FAIFA urged to reduce cigarette taxes to preGST levels so that the market share of smuggled foreign brands can be reduced and the industry and farmers can benefit in line with the vocalfor-local.

While lauding PM’s campaign, FAIFA asked “the government to shun the legacy of tobacco control policies aping the western world and adopt policies that are rooted into the reality of the tobacco consumption pattern of India.” The farmers’ body further claimed that only three per cent of the adult population consumes cigarettes. Bidi smokers outnumber cigarette smokers by 6 times and 3 times.