tobacco control in India tobacco control in India, based on the provided report. This is particularly relevant for UPSC General Studies Paper II (Health & Governance) and Paper III (Economy). Tobacco Control in India: The Taxation and Regulation Challenge Despite being the world’s second-largest consumer and producer of tobacco, India’s fiscal measures to curb consumption are currently falling short of international benchmarks. While taxes have risen, the "affordability" of tobacco products remains a significant hurdle in public health efforts. 1. The Current Taxation Gap The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that taxes should constitute at least 75% of the retail price of tobacco products to effectively deter consumption. In India: * Cigarettes: Recent tax hikes account for only 53% of the retail price. * Beedis: The GST rate on beedis—which are more prevalent than cigarettes—has been reduced to 18%. * The Problem: Because tax increases ...
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