Tobacco imports through the first 10 months of fiscal 2017 represent a 49 per cent increase from the comparable period in the prior fiscal year, according to Republica.

Data from Birgunj Customs Office show slightly more than 5,919 tons were imported this fiscal year compared with 3,956 in the first 10 months of fiscal 2016. Republica said on its website. The tobacco goes to companies like Surya Nepal and smaller ones, where it is manufactured into products including cigarettes, gutkha and packaged chewing tobacco, the publication said.