Tobacco Tax Hike Triggers Nationwide Farmers’ Protest 2026: FAIFA Warns of Severe Livelihood Crisis

By Ayush Bansal | January 2026 A fresh wave of farmers protest has erupted across India’s tobacco-growing belts after the Union Government announced a steep hike in excise duty on cigarettes and pan masala, effective February 1, 2026. The decision, which ends a seven-year freeze on tobacco taxes, has drawn sharp criticism from farmers and … Read more