Breaking New Grounds in Tobacco Control - Voluntary Health ...

Orientation to Vietnam Parliamentary
Delegation to India
A Vietnamese Parliamentary Delegation
visited VHAI office on December 23, 2011
to know about our role in the tobacco
control campaign programme in India. The
group comprised about 15 Vietnamese MPs.
The delegation led by Ms. Truong Thi Mai,
a senior parliamentarian included Member
of Standing Committee, Chairperson of
Parliamentary Social Affairs Committee
(status of Minister); Chair of Female
Parliamentarians consisting of MPs, Govt.
officials from Vietnam.
An orientation was given to the
Parliamentarians on the overall advocacy
efforts undertaken in the tobacco control
campaign programme by VHAI and state
partners at both national & state level.
Jammu & Kashmir Voluntary
health and Development
Association
Tax Increased on All Tobacco Products
in Jammu & Kashmir in the year
2012 – 13
Steadfast in its commitment to protect
its citizens from the growing menace of
tobacco products, the Government of Jammu
& Kashmir under the leadership of Chief
Minister, Shri Omar Abdullah, announced
an increase in Value Added Taxes (VAT)
from 25% to 30% on all tobacco products
in the the year 2012 – 13.
The decision by the Government of Jammu
& Kashmir to increase VAT from 25% to
30% on all tobacco products was welcomed
by public health advocates and individuals
working on tobacco control within the
state and across the country. This is a very
commendable step in the right direction
taken by the J & K government to put a
control on tobacco consumption of (both
smoking and smokeless forms) of tobacco.
In his Budget speech, Shri Abdul Rahim
Rather, Hon’ble Minister of Finance,
Government of Jammu & Kashmir
categorically stated as a part of the health
protection measures and said that he
proposed to continue with his anti-tobacco
campaign, which he had started last year,
and announce a further increase in the rate
of VAT on all tobacco products from 25% to
30% in the year 2012-13.
VHAI in collaboration with its state
partner J & K Voluntary Health Association
organized a press conference on 9 th
March, 2012 in Jammu appreciating the
Government decision on the increase of
taxes on tobacco products.
The press conference was attended by
Dr. N.C Prabhakar, Liasion Officer, Bushan
Primon, Binoy Mathew, Media Officer &
Tanu Sharma, Advocacy Officer from VHAI.
A total of 25 – 30 representatives were
present from the press. All the major dailies
were represented including Greater Kashmir,
Kashmir Times, Greater Jammu, State Times
and The Tribune.
The press meet overall was conducted well
with satisfactory results and generated a
lot of media interest.
BUDGAM First District in the State of
Jammu & Kashmir declared Smoke Free
on the Occasion of the Republic Day of
India 2012
Budgam was the first district of Jammu
& Kashmir to be declared Smoke Free as a
result of the joint interventions of VHAI,
J&K VHA and the District Administration.
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January - March & April - June 2012