18-March, 2013 13:49 IST., Ministry of Commerce & Industry ; –
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.
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), 2003”. 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
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Dr. D Purandeswari in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
FOOD SAFETY UPDATE 