Retailers rally against 'licence raj' for tobacco sales in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Over 4,000 people gathered at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Tuesday to protest the new licensing proposal for the sale of tobacco products.

The Karnataka State Retail Beedi-Cigarette Merchants Association, representing the Karnataka chapter of the Federation of Retailers Association, stated that over two lakh retailers across the state have joined the movement against what they call a "licence raj".

BN Murali Krishna, President of the Karnataka State Retail Beedi-Cigarette Merchants Association, explained, "The new tobacco vendor licence is supposedly priced at Rs 500, but in reality, the costs can range between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 due to additional fees. The new regulations also prohibit the sale of other items like biscuits and soft drinks, alongside tobacco products."

The association argued that this "licence raj" would lead to the harassment of poor and uneducated micro-retailers by officials, especially at a time when their businesses are already suffering due to competition from organised retail chains and supermarkets.

The association also noted that India already has some of the world's strictest anti-tobacco laws, including 85% graphic health warnings on packaging, a ban on public smoking and a prohibition on sales within 100 yards of educational institutions.

They believe the existing COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act) of 2003 is sufficient for regulating tobacco products.

After the protest, a delegation led by Krishna submitted a letter of request to Vikas Suralkar, Special Commissioner for Health and Family Welfare.

Speaking to DH, Suralkar stated: "There is a Central Government gazette notification (2022) mandating separate licences for tobacco sales. We are following this law. Ideally, we do not want condiments and tobacco sold at the same location, as we consider them separate categories."