On Tuesday, Ma Subramanian, Tamil Nadu health minister, stated that the state would, if necessary, alter the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, or draft new legislation to maintain the prohibition on cigarette products.

The minister was attending the white coat ceremony at the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital and the ESIC Hospital and administering the Hippocratic Oath to the medical students. He urged store owners in the state to stop selling tobacco products because they pose serious health risks to people.

Using a temporary provision under the 2006 Food Safety and Standards Act, the state government banned tobacco and gutka products in 2013. Following that, notices were used to renew the ban each year. The Madras High Court recently invalidated the provisional notification.

The Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders Association′s president, A M Vikrama Raja, recently inquired about the state government′s response to the court ruling and whether tobacco goods might be sold in stores.

Ma Subramanian clarified that the state government plans to challenge the high court order. If necessary, changes in the law or new laws to maintain the prohibition on tobacco products could be enacted upon. He also said that in February, 500 health and wellness centres would be opened by the state′s chief minister, M. K. Stalin. To make Tamil Nadu a state free of tuberculosis by 2025, the chief minister will issue 4,308 appointment orders to fill various roles in the government hospitals at an event that will be held in Chennai on February 3.

In accordance with the "Innuyir Kaapoom-Nammai Kaakkum 48" plan, the minister donated medical equipment worth 2.73 crores to various hospitals in the state. He claimed that 1, 41,923 individuals had so far benefited from the program.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/govt-may-bring-new-law-to-ban-tobacco-products-min/97512474)