The Rajasthan government has made license mandatory for the sale of tobacco products like bidi, cigarette, gutkha, zarda. Its purpose is to save the youth from tobacco addiction and to make public places tobacco free.

The Rajasthan government has taken a big step towards protecting the youth from the ill effects of tobacco and making public places tobacco-free. Now it has been made mandatory to obtain a license for the sale of tobacco products like bidi, cigarette, gutkha, zarda in the state. Urban Development and Housing Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra has given in-principle approval to this proposal. The new system will be implemented from July-August 2025. Under this, vendors will have to obtain a license from the concerned Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council or Nagar Palika, for which the annual fee has been fixed at Rs 1,000.

The first phase

of this campaign will be implemented in major cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Sikar, Alwar, Udaipur, Bikaner, Kota, Ajmer, Beawar and Nagaur. According to statistics, there are about 46 thousand tobacco vendors in Jaipur alone, out of which 20 thousand are active on major intersections and main roads. Their number is about 2 lakh in the entire state.

Action on selling to those below 18 years of age

The government has also added some strict rules for strict enforcement of tobacco control. If any licensed seller sells tobacco products to children below 18 years of age, legal action will be taken against him. Also, the sale of tobacco products will be completely banned within 100 meters of public places like schools, hospitals, bus stands. This initiative is considered a big step towards health safety as well as controlling illegal sale of tobacco and promoting social responsibility.

PC:AMar Ujala