A parliamentary debate on a new tax bill for tobacco products took a deeply personal turn on Wednesday, December 4, 2025, as several Members of Parliament opened up about their own struggles to quit tobacco. The discussion in the Lok Sabha centered on The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims to overhaul the taxation framework for tobacco.
What the New Tobacco Tax Bill Proposes
The proposed legislation seeks to replace the existing GST compensation cess levied on a range of tobacco products with a revised central excise structure. The products affected include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, hookah, zarda, and scented tobacco. This shift represents a significant policy change in how the government taxes these harmful goods.
MPs Get Personal in the Debate
Moving beyond dry policy talk, the debate became a platform for MPs to share candid experiences. TMC MP Sougata Roy spoke frankly about his ongoing battle to stop smoking. He revealed he was motivated by warnings about his health, stating, "I am trying to quit since people say you will live only for five years." He also raised the pivotal "moral question" of whether the government has a responsibility to actively reduce tobacco consumption.
In a lighter moment, Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding over the session, suggested that Roy could become a "brand ambassador to create awareness" about quitting tobacco.
BJP MP Arun Govil, famous for his role as Lord Ram in the television epic 'Ramayan', attributed his success in giving up tobacco to the spiritual influence of the show. "After 'Ramayan' came into my life, I gave up tobacco," he recalled.
Calls for Systemic Support to Quit
Highlighting the need for accessible cessation support, DMK MP Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy proposed a concrete solution. He advocated for establishing support spaces and making medications available in every parliamentary constituency. "Every parliamentary seat should have a space for support; medications and formulations should be made available," he urged. He emphasized that even a modest reduction in use has value, adding, "Even a 10-20% reduction can improve quality of life."
The personal testimonies during the debate underscored the widespread challenge of tobacco addiction, even among the country's lawmakers, while framing the tax bill as part of a broader public health imperative.
