Lok Sabha: MPs made open statements about personal struggle with tobacco

In a debate on a bill to change the tax structure on tobacco products in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (December 3), MPs made candid statements about their personal struggles with tobacco use and urged stronger measures to curb its consumption.

The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to replace the existing GST compensation cess on cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, hookah, zarda and flavored tobacco with a revised excise duty structure. During the discussion, TMC MP Saugata Roy openly admitted his struggle with smoking.

“I have been a smoker myself and I am trying to quit the habit because people say you will only live for five years,” he said, adding that the “ethical question” is whether the government has any role in reducing tobacco consumption.

Jagdambika Pal, who was the president, joked: “He can become a brand ambassador to create awareness.” BJP MP Arun Govil, while supporting the bill, told how he overcame his addiction.

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He said, “I stand here in support of this bill because I have been tobacco free for 50 years. Before Ramayana, I used to be a chain smoker. I used to chew gutkha all day. The day Ramayana came into my life, I gave up all that and since then I am tobacco free.”

DMK MP Dr Kalanidhi Veeraswamy also gave an impassioned speech on the harms of tobacco to health. He said, “There should be a place in each parliamentary constituency where drop off support can be initiated; medicines and formulations should be made available. Even a reduction of 10-20% can improve the quality of life.”

His comments led to a moment of lighthearted banter. TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu said, “Kalanidhi spoke very passionately… He is a doctor and he talked about all the ill effects of smoking, but he still smokes 40 cigarettes a day. That’s the problem we have in this country.”

The Chairman intervened and asked, “Is it necessary to make the disclosure on the floor of the House?” Currently, tobacco products attract 28% GST and a variable cess.

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Under the proposed arrangement, unmanufactured tobacco would attract 60-70% excise duty, cigars and cheroots 25% or Rs 5,000 per 1,000 sticks, whichever is higher, while unfiltered cigarettes up to 65 mm will cost Rs 2,700 per 1,000 sticks and ₹4,500 per 1,000 rods for lengths up to 70 mm.