Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has imposed a one-year ban on gutkha, pan masala and other food products containing tobacco or nicotine, with the restriction covering their manufacture, storage, distribution and sale across the state.
The order was issued on October 13 by Food Safety and Drug Administration Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey and took immediate effect. The decision comes as the state government seeks to curb addiction and address the health risks associated with tobacco and nicotine consumption.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami defended the move on Wednesday, saying the restrictions are reviewed annually and are necessary to protect the younger generation from addiction.
What Products Are Banned In Uttarakhand?
The order covers gutkha, pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine, and other food products containing these substances, regardless of the name under which they are marketed.
The restrictions extend beyond retail sales to the manufacture, storage and distribution of the specified products. The government has invoked the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.
The order is aimed at products containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients in food. It should not be interpreted as a blanket ban on every tobacco product, including cigarettes, without further clarification from the authorities.
Why Has Uttarakhand Banned Gutkha And Pan Masala?
Dhami said the government reviews the issue every year and concluded that further restrictions were necessary because of the harmful effects of addictive substances.
The Chief Minister also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stated goal of preventing young people from falling into addiction. He said the state was pursuing efforts to address the issue at multiple levels.
The restrictions are intended to limit the availability of specified tobacco- and nicotine-containing food products in the interest of public health.
When Did The One-Year Ban Come Into Effect?
The order was issued on October 13, 2026, and the one-year restriction began from the date of issuance. It therefore remains scheduled to apply for one year from that date, subject to any subsequent official order or legal development.
The measure follows similar restrictions imposed by Uttarakhand in earlier years, including 2013, 2015 and 2019.
What Other Issues Did Pushkar Singh Dhami Discuss?
Alongside the ban, Dhami discussed post-monsoon administrative challenges during a meeting with officials. He called for repairs to damaged roads, quicker resolution of public grievances and greater field-level engagement by government officers.
He also called for initiatives such as Jan Chaupal, Tehsil Diwas and Ratri Chaupal to help officials address local problems directly.
On the upcoming Assembly session, Dhami said the government was prepared to respond to issues raised by the Opposition and urged opposition parties to focus on substantive matters.
The Chief Minister also highlighted developments in medical education, saying three medical colleges had become operational and that an order had been received regarding seat allocation at Rudrapur medical college for the 2027–28 academic session.
