DIMAPUR: Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) has extended support to calls for a grace period in the implementation of the state government’s ban on tobacco and nicotine-containing food products, warning that abrupt enforcement of the prohibition has created uncertainty and financial hardship for thousands of retailers and small businesses across Nagaland.
DUCCF through its media cell acknowledged the state government’s decision to prohibit the sale of food products containing tobacco and nicotine under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and expressed appreciation for efforts aimed at protecting public health, particularly among the younger generation.
However, DUCCF maintained that the sudden implementation of the ban without a reasonable transition period had adversely affected traders who had legally procured stocks under valid licences prior to the notification.
Reaffirming that public health should remain a priority, the federation said policy decisions must also take into account the economic realities faced by businesses and families dependent on tobacco trade for their livelihood.
DUCCF observed that tobacco-related trade, directly or indirectly, has contributed significantly to local economic activity and employment. It cautioned that abrupt ban could result in consumers purchasing such products from neighbouring states, particularly Assam, leading to a substantial outflow of revenue from Nagaland. Further, DUCCF maintained that unless similar restrictions were uniformly enforced in neighbouring states, demand for tobacco products would continue, with consumers simply sourcing them from outside the state. It claimed that this trend was already visible, with people purchasing tobacco products in larger quantities from outside Nagaland.
According to DUCCF, such a situation could not fully achieve the intended objective of reducing consumption while simultaneously affecting local businesses and diminishing potential revenue generation within the state. In this regard, DUCCF endorsed the demands raised by Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), including a minimum 30-day grace period to allow traders to clear or return existing legally acquired stock without penalty. DUCCF also expressed concern that despite the notification, the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) had yet to issue updated guidelines regarding tobacco vendor licences (TVLs) or address the issue of licence fees already paid by traders who can no longer fully utilise their licences.
DUCCF has urged DMC to resolve the matter either by providing a prorated refund of the remaining licence fees or by recognising a limited sell-out window for existing stock.
It also sought clear guidelines specifying which products fell under the ban and called for wider consultation with stakeholders, including business organisations, municipal authorities and civil society groups. The federation said a consultative approach involving all stakeholders would help formulate a practical and effective policy that safeguards public health while minimising economic hardship for traders and residents of Dimapur.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026