The union government is considering to push the Tobacco purchase age limit from 18 to 25 years and currently the Health ministry has asked for recommendations. Based on the recommendations, the Union Health Ministry is likely to report suggestions to state governments.

From 2004, every year around eight to nine lakh people are dying the country while over the past decade consumption of tobacco has drastically increased among woman. The government is also taking various steps to decrease the consumption of tobacco like increasing the excise on cigarette.

An officials said, a 10 percent increase in price of cigarette would lead to three percent decrease in consumption while seven percent increase in government revenue. It also said that cigarette excise can be increased by as much as 370 percent of present levels, leading to a 54 percent decline in consumption and 115 percent increase in revenue.

(AW: Vamshi)