Naveen Nair, Thiruvanthapuram: If you are smoker in Kerala, it’s probably a good time to stub the habit. Cigarettes will not be available in Kerala from Monday onwards as traders are insisting the value-added tax (VAT) burden needs to be taken by tobacco companies.

It's all smoke and no fire in Kerala. The state's leading traders’ body says there won't be any cigarettes sold from Monday onwards if tobacco companies refuse to pay the value-added tax on cigarettes.

But for shopkeepers like Sadasivan, cigarettes are major money spinners, and will be sold if customers demand them.

Sadasivan says, “We will sell cigarettes if people come to buy them. Traders can say that but tell me what will happen to the stock if I keep them back. Not just that, cigarette is my main source of income, even if the margin or profit is low. Why should I suffer for the fight between the traders and government?”

But the traders’ body insists that the call will be heeded.

Meanwhile it's the smokers who are feeling the heat. Even the sudden rise in prices hasn't hampered demand, and many smokers are hoarding cigarettes to tide them over a shortage.

Ajit says, “It’s impossible to think of a day without cigarettes. It’s such a great tension reliever.”

For the government and traders they have their own reasons not to reconcile to this issue.

But for the average smoker, it’s a deprivation of his daily diet of cigarettes. No wonder people have now decided to buy cigarettes in large numbers and stock them up.