Sir — This refers to the welcome initiative of the Union Government to impose a ban on the sale of loose cigarettes, which account for 75 per cent of total sale of cigarettes. But India needs a ban on the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, like which exists in Bhutan and Ireland. Even family members of smokers will support such a bold step, because it is the family which suffers the most in the case of fatalities.
The loss in revenue from a ban on cigarettes will be more than compensated by the funds saved on tobacco-related diseases.