New Delhi, Sept 8: Health experts have raised serious concerns over the government’s decision to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on beedis from 28 per cent to 18 per cent, while other tobacco products remain in the highest 40 per cent slab.They warned that cheaper beedis could increase their use, particularly among poor and vulnerable communities, worsening India’s tobacco-related health burden.
Beedis, the most commonly smoked tobacco product in India, are used by over 70 million adults, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) India 2016-17.
Warning of public health risks, renowned oncologist and recipient of the Judy Wilenfield Award for Global Tobacco Control by WHO Partners, Dr Vishal Rao, said, “Beedis, widely consumed by vulnerable populations, are very harmful. This tax disparity risks making beedis more affordable, potentially increasing their use, leading to cancers and other diseases.”
Emphasising the broader policy risks, Dr Rao said this rate reduction would “subsidise death” for the poor as they are the most vulnerable.
The government’s decision to lower the GST on beedis to 18 per cent while setting other tobacco products at 40 per cent is a detrimental step for public health… Uniformly high taxation across all tobacco products is critical to deter consumption and protect public health,” he said.
Highlighting the dangers of beedis, public health expert and Head of the Department of Rheumatology at AIIMS, Delhi, Dr Uma Kumar said evidence clearly shows that higher taxation helps prevent tobacco use by reducing its affordability.
“Beedis are no less harmful than cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. Their toxicity is well documented and consumption leads to life-threatening diseases such as cancers, respiratory illnesses, and heart conditions,” she said.