Defence Minister Arun Jaitley Friday said Health Minister Harsh Vardhan's request to ban tobacco products in military canteens has been forwarded to the services for their opinion.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Jaitley said: "A reference has been received from Harsha Vardhan … and (the) same has been sent to (the) services." "I strongly feel that we need our armed forces to be physically and mentally fit and avoid using substances that compromise their health, fitness and well being," Harsh Vardhan had said.
"Therefore the armed forces establishments must stop selling tobacco products through their canteens and the ministry may revisit its policy making available cigarettes and other tobacco products at a discount to their members," he said in a letter.
