Tobacco farmers have welcomed the decision of the Union Health Ministry to put on hold its decision to increase pictorial warnings on tobacco products from 40 per cent to 85 per cent, saying that the decision will save lakhs of farmers and labourers from the brink of calamity.
“Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco has been the lifeline of farmers in West Godavari and Prakasam districts. The government, by trying to control 15 per cent of highly organised and legitimate cigarette retail market, is opening up doors for contraband cigarette brands,” said Vaddella Varaprasad and Pathrui Venkateswarlu who represents Service and Welfare Organisation for Rythu Development, Ongole. They added that the tobacco industry had already been in doldrums owing to the steep hike in excise duty.
