Protest by Farmers and micro retailers TO SAFEGUARD THEIR LIVELIHOODS BY WITHDRAWING 85% WARNINGS ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Video 1 [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc5DeelapDQ&w=420&h=315]
New Delhi: Members of FAIFA (Federation of All India Farmer Associations), representing the interests of lakhs of tobacco growers in the country along with ABPVS (Akhil Bharatiya Pan Vikreta Sangathan), which presents the collective voice of the interests of more than 72 lakhs traders, retailers and panwallas, selling tobacco products across India today gathered in Delhi for a protest march and appeal submission to the Health Minister and the Prime Minister, requesting roll-back of the 85% warnings on tobacco products. Farmers and Retailers demand a detailed investigation to unearth the real motives behind the new rule to implement 85% warnings on tobacco products in India, as it is being implemented in an undemocratic manner, abruptly and without balancing the interests of the millions of farmers, factory workers, rural workers, micro retailers and their dependent families.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ram Ashrey Mishra, President from Akhil Bharatiya Pan Vikreta Sangathan said, “We are unable to understand as to why the Government wants us the small retailers to be surrounded by horrifying pictures all the time. We do not want to be forced to deliver these messages as they are against the interests of millions of fellow members and struggling communities. This is a violation of our fundamental right of speech. We urge our leaders to save the poor retailer from becoming mentally imbalanced and criminals”, “If USA, which is considered the epitome of health and democratic rights in the world have found graphic health warnings inappropriate, then what argument does India have to push large, shocking warnings of 85% on tobacco packs? In a country with huge socio economic role of tobacco, large pictorial warnings is uncalled for especially when the rules have been framed in undemocratic manner”, said, Shri B V Javare Gowda, President, FAIFA. Shri Gadde Seshagiri Rao, Vice- President, FAIFA, said, “Already the Indian farmer community is facing severe challenges with water crisis, slower demand, expensive credit and the ongoing disturbances in the tobacco industry will leave a big financial loss for farmers”.
“Tobacco is the only crop which can be grown with least amount of water. If the industry is attacked by uncalled policy moves, where will the farmers go?. We urge the Government to first provide us alternative livelihood solutions before expecting farmers to reduce production. Otherwise farmers will have no choice but to revolt and take to streets or commit suicides”, said, Shri Murali Babu, General Secretary, FAIFA.
There are 45.7 million people dependent on the tobacco industry in India, including farmers, labour, workers and trade and no organization or individual representing their interest was consulted or heard when the rules were framed in 2014. There is more to this than what is visible, which needs to be uncovered. It is a well known fact that today cigarettes are the most smuggled item in India after gold. There has been a rapid growth in smuggled and illegal cigarettes over the last few years. In 2015-16, the seizures of smuggled cigarettes have increased 10 times.
The smuggled cigarettes do not have Graphic Health Warnings, and therefore the consumers also prefer them, as many of them believe that Indian cigarettes are more harmful. We fear, that lager Pictorial Health Warnings on tobacco products will make retailers across the country a target of consumer wrath and administrative action, as we are the front faces of the trade, who will get attacked from all sides. The implementation of larger Graphic Health Warnings is neither practical, nor is in the interest of either the consumer, the retailer, the farmer or the Government. In case of products like Beedi’s and chewing tobacco packs, they are also not practical from implementation point of view, and it looks that facts of the trade were overlooked while formulating the rules. The affected retailers and farmers urge immediate intervention to stop the vested NGO’s and so called health guardians, who act under foreign influence from lobbying against Indian tobacco products and address our concern and problems.
We appeal to our Health Minister and our Respected Prime Minister to stop this visible example of undemocratic legislation and immediately roll back 85% warnings till comprehensive livelihood solutions are provided to marginalized and displaced stakeholders like retailers and farmers.
