SHIMLA: To ban the sale of single cigarettes across Himachal Pradesh, the state government is mulling to enact a law by introducing a bill in the winter session of the Assembly to be held at Dharamshala . But before that, the issue would be discussed at the Cabinet meeting .

Himachal Pradesh health minister Kaul Singh Thakur on Wednesday said the draft proposal to ban the sale of lose cigarettes is ready with the department.

He said that decision in favour of the ban was taken after the state recorded an increasing number of cancer patients. Experts have already said that about 95% of lung cancers and 70 % of head and neck cancers in men could be directly attributed to the habit of smoking among Himachalis.

Thakur said a ban on the sale of lose cigarettes would be enforced strictly, in order to discourage smoking among the young generation. While replying to a question, he said the health department would conduct a district-wise survey to know about the exact number of cancer patients besides the reasons behind its occurrence in the state.

Ban on Maggi to continue in HP

Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur said the ban on the sale of Maggi would continue in Himachal Pradesh as Maggi’s case is pending before the Maharashtra high court. Many other states are yet to lift the ban too, he added. He said a decision to lift the ban would be taken only after the other states lift the ban and the Maharashtra high court decides on the case.

