The government will introduce the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2021 in the National Assembly tomorrow. At a plenary session on the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill of Bhutan 2021 today, the minister for economic affairs apprised the members of the parliament to not only consider including the bill as an agenda but also as an urgent bill in light of the increasing incidences of tobacco smuggling along the bordering areas.
The National Assembly will deliberate on lifting the ban on the sale of tobacco products in the country. The amendment will make it legal to sell, distribute, buy, possess, and transport tobacco or tobacco products, which is intended to reduce illicit breach of COVID-19 protocols in the bordering areas.
However, the speaker will consult with the Chairperson of the National Council and the Bill will be declared as an urgent bill only upon fulfilling the provisions of the Legislative Rules and Procedure 2017.
As per the records maintained with the police, over a hundred people were arrested in connection with the smuggling of tobacco products between March 2020 and June this year even with the borders sealed. Tobacco smuggling incidences were reported from Phuentshogling, Samtse, Gelephug and Samdrup Jongkhar.
Pema Seldon Tshering
