Match manufacturers urge Tamil Nadu to ban cigarette lighter sales

The National Small-Scale Safety Match Manufacturers Association, led by its president Paramasivam, made the appeal in Thoothukudi. They said one lighter, which offers about 600 strokes, equals 20 safety match boxes, causing a major setback for match factories. The factories are already reeling from high input costs and unavailability of raw materials. The association also alleged that spare parts for cigarette lighters are imported illegally from China and assembled locally, then labeled "Made in India." The union government had prohibited free import of Chinese cigarette lighters priced under Rs 20 in June 2023 and restricted imports of parts for gas-fuelled pocket lighters.