A large number of people under the banner of the Bhubaneswar Khili Pana Dokani Mahasangha took out a rally here at Master Canteen Square on Friday protesting against imposing restrictions on sale of non-tobacco products in retail shops selling tobacco items.
Recently, the Union Health Ministry issued letters to the Chief Secretaries of States that retail shops selling tobacco products should not be allowed to sell non-tobacco products.
Mahasangha president Srinibas Reddy told a Press meet that the livelihood of more than 2 lakh traders, retailers and betel sellers selling tobacco products across Odisha would be affected with the new guideline.
“The Union Health Ministry’s suggestion is grossly unfair and a draconian. This will have a life-threatening effect on our families,” Reddy added.
As part of the regulation of sale, the Union Health Ministry has asked all the State Governments to develop a mechanism through the municipal authority to provide “permission/authorisation” to retail outlets selling tobacco products.
“Shops authorised to sell tobacco products will not be permitted to sell any non-tobacco products such as biscuits, toffees and chips that are essentially meant for non-tobacco users, especially children,” the Ministry in its letter said.
“We demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervene in the matter and ensure justice,” appealed Reddy.