The PRESS Pad

The Union Government has formally notified February 1, 2026  as the date from which a new taxation regime for tobacco products and pan masala  will come into effect, marking a major restructuring of India’s indirect tax framework on so-called “sin goods”. Under the new system, additional excise duty will be levied on tobacco products , while a Health and National Security Cess will be imposed on pan masala , replacing the GST compensation cess , which will cease to exist from