The authorities in Uttar Pradesh have decided to ban the sale of tobacco products being done without an authentic license. The sale of all tobacco-related items, across Lucknow, Kanpur and all other UP districts will now be governed by an imperative certificate for the same. The government has taken this decision in view of the increasing health hazards being caused due to unregulated tobacco use. It will also ensure the impactful imposition of rules and policies of tobacco control.

Sale of non-tobacco products banned at tobacco shops

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The Uttar Pradesh government has implemented a system of licensing tobacco vendors in the municipal corporation, as recommended by the Union of Health and Family Welfare in an advisory to all states, a spokesperson said. This system will audit the industry and ensure a regulated activity of tobacco sales.

The license issued under the new system will curtail tobacco vendors and shopkeepers from selling non-tobacco products. That is, the sale of toffee, candy, chips, biscuits, soft drinks and other such items will not be allowed. This decision has been taken to ensure that children are not attracted to any of the tobacco products.

A Global Adult Tobacco Survey driven by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has revealed that 35.5% of adults ( including people above 15 years of age) in Uttar Pradesh use tobacco, in one way or the other. According to this, an estimate of ₹182,000 crores is spent on the various direct and indirect diseases caused by the substance. The study also calculated that this huge sum is equivalent to 1.8% of the country's GDP.