The Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry has sought clarity and a transition period on Nagaland's tobacco and nicotine products ban.
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DIMAPUR — As Nagaland moves to enforce a year-long prohibition on the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of tobacco and nicotine products, the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has urged the government to provide clarity on the notification's implementation date and allow businesses sufficient time to clear existing stocks.
In a press release issued on Monday, the chamber stated that while it supports public health objectives, the sudden enforcement of the ban could, however, cause significant financial losses to retailers, stockists and wholesalers across the state.
The appeal comes in response to a notification issued by the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare on June 2 under the authority of the Commissioner of Food Safety, prohibiting specified tobacco and nicotine products for one year throughout Nagaland.
Calling for greater clarity, the MCCI pointed out that while the notification mentions the duration of the prohibition, it does not clearly specify when the order takes effect.
"The absence of an effective date has created confusion among the public, particularly within the business community," it stated.
Also read: Nagaland bans gutkha, tobacco-mixed food products for one year
The chamber further contended that an abrupt implementation would effectively turn legally acquired products into contraband overnight, undermining business confidence and the state's efforts to improve the ease of doing business.
Highlighting the potential economic impact, it stated that traders at multiple levels of the supply chain could suffer losses worth crores of rupees if forced to dispose of unsold inventory immediately.
To minimise disruption, the MCCI requested the government to provide at least a one-month transition period, allowing businesses to return prohibited products to suppliers or adopt other approved disposal mechanisms.
While assuring cooperation with the government's efforts, the chamber questioned whether prohibition alone would achieve the intended public health outcomes.
It pointed to the challenges of market demand, enforcement limitations and behavioural patterns, warning that the measure could inadvertently encourage the growth of illegal supply networks.
Drawing parallels with the experience of Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, the MCCI warned that the emergence of black-market operators could create fresh public health concerns and undermine the objective of the ban.
The chamber also urged authorities to ensure that legitimate traders are not subjected to harassment, arbitrary penalties or coercive enforcement measures during implementation.
Reiterating its support for public health initiatives, the MCCI maintained that such measures should be introduced in a manner that balances health concerns with economic realities and called on the government to urgently address the ambiguities surrounding the notification.