AMN
Government will take a measured and responsible decision on the issue of increasing the size of pictorial warnings on Tobacco in the back-drop of a controversy generated by BJP members of a Parliamentary panel, suggesting nil effects of smoking.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the decision of the government in the matter will not be based on the opinion of individuals.
His comments come amid reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the removal of the members with conflicting interest from the committee of subordinate legislation examining the provisions of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003.
BJP MPs Dilip Gandhi, Shyam Charan Gupta and Ram Prasad Sarmah have claimed there is no clear proof yet linking cigarette puffing and cancer.
Asserting that a multi pronged approach to discourage tobacco use was needed, Jaitley said, individuals can give individual opinions, but government takes measured and responsible decisions.
Therefore, in the last two budgets, government has certainly reflected its collective thinking.
He was addressing reporters in Bengaluru where BJP held its national executive meeting.
Meanwhile, Health Minister J.P. Nadda said that he and his Ministry maintain that tobacco consumption is unhealthy and should be avoided.