Plan to ban tobacco in Bihar dropped

NDA government backtracks a day after making announcement

Barely a day after announcing a plan to ban chewing tobacco, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar has backtracked on its move, fearing public anger over the move could badly impact its political fortunes in next year’s general elections.

Farmers and rural folk are the main consumers of the chewing tobacco, popular as “khaini”, in the state.

“There is no immediate proposal to ban tobacco in Bihar. Nothing happening immediately, but we want tobacco farmers to look for alternative production options as tobacco production is not going well,” Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told journalists yesterday.

He said the government had no intention to ban tobacco adding a section of people were trying to mislead the masses.

Earlier in the day, Bihar health minister Mangal Pandey also denied media reports that the state government had written any letter to the Centre seeking a tobacco ban.

“We are against tobacco chewing, found to be the main cause of oral cancer, but haven’t asked the centre for its prohibition,” Pandey told the media.

The volte face came amid reports the move could cost the NDA dearly in the forthcoming elections, given the fact that the main tobacco consumers are rural villagers.

Federal Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh also opposed the proposed move by the government to ban tobacco saying he would protest such a move.

There is no immediate proposal to ban tobacco in Bihar. Nothing happening immediately, but we want tobacco farmers to look for alternative options.”

Nitish Kumar | Bihar chief minister