"The increase in taxes of tobacco products is the need of the hour. It will substantially alter the behavioural pattern of young people towards tobacco consumption by making it unaffordable," Dr Anandjeet Goswami, professor and policy expert said on the occasion.
Lack of sufficient taxation on tobacco products as per the WHO FCTC norms, of which India is a signatory, is not just harming young lives but is also draining away valuable revenue of country which could be put to greater social good. Talking in the National Youth Conclave (NYC) of Nada Young India Network (NYIN) held in Delhi today academicians, health experts and youth leaders called on the government and policy makers to pass COTPA amendment 2020 urgently with stringent provisions and also raise excise on tobacco products in the upcoming Budget of the Union Government.
Dr. Mehak Segan, public health expert called on the government to save young lives by increasing the legal age of drinking and by curbing social media and OTT advertisements of tobacco and alcohol products.
"The increase in taxes of tobacco products is the need of the hour. It will substantially alter the behavioural pattern of young people towards tobacco consumption by making it unaffordable," Dr Anandjeet Goswami, professor and policy expert said on the occasion.
NYC is an annual event conducted to appreciate the spirit of youth and volunteerism to harness their potential towards development under the auspices of the Nada Young India Network for Good Health supported by Nada India Foundation. The conclave is the culmination of the year long activity of the NYIN to meaningfully engage the youth in a self advocacy process and it motivates & empowers them to take their own initiative for change.
The special feature of NYC 2021 was the Young India Youth Parliament on the occasion which deliberated on the pressing demands on Tobacco Control in India to save young lives. The youth parliament held in the presence of dignitaries from legislative, civil, academic and medical fields at the landmark India International Centre gave voice to the young people's demand for good health in India. The Youth Parliament passed the COTPA amendments 2020 with strict measures on Point of Sale advertisement, Ban on Designated Smoking areas and ban of sale of lose cigarette sticks.
NYIN is a nationwide campaign for good health which recruits young volunteers to realise the importance of good health and support them in advocating for the same by identifying, engaging, training, empowering and taking action. Youths from different states of India participated in the two-day conclave held at India International Centre.