Odisha’s decision to impose a complete ban on gutkha, pan masala, and all tobacco products deserves clear recognition as a public health-first move. In a political environment where revenue considerations often dilute health policy, the state has chosen to prioritise long-term societal
Shares of Indian tobacco companies fell sharply after the government announced a new excise duty on cigarettes, adding to the existing goods and services tax regime. The duty, which will come into effect from February 1, 2026, applies per 1,000 cigarette sticks and varies by cigarette length. This move effectively reintroduces a central levy on […]
The Union government has introduced two key bills in the Lok Sabha to overhaul the tax structure on tobacco, pan masala and related products. The move comes ahead of the scheduled expiry of the GST compensation cess that currently applies to these items. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and […]















