Govt plans to introduce license to sell cigarette

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is planning to make the tobacco vendors to have a special license, which aims to regulate the sale of cigarette and other forms of tobacco among shop owners.

This special license will be issued to shops by respective urban local bodies, which will, in turn, help curb the easy availability of such products near educational institutions.  

UT Khader,  Karnataka Minister for Urban Development and Housing and former Health Minister said, “We have learnt that the tobacco products, especially cigarettes and beedis, are being sold in small shops and retail stores near schools. In addition to a normal trade license, shop owners should get a special license to sell tobacco,”

The new licencing rule will be part of the 20-point Karnataka Development Programme.