Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has imposed a statewide ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation, and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine for a period of one year. Issued by the Commissioner of Food Safety in the interest of public health, the order aims to curb the widespread consumption of harmful smokeless tobacco and nicotine-laced products across the state.
The notification enforces strict restrictions under clause (a) of Sub-section (2) of Section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, alongside relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. Authority officials highlighted that the prohibition applies comprehensively to pure, flavoured, or scented forms of gutkha and pan masala. It also extends to instances where tobacco or nicotine is packaged or sold separately but intended to be mixed and consumed together.
Health department representatives emphasized that the measure responds to growing clinical evidence linking chewing tobacco and nicotine additives to severe oral health hazards, cardiovascular diseases, and various forms of cancer. State enforcement agencies and local municipal authorities have been instructed to conduct regular inspections across retail units, commercial hubs, and distribution centres to ensure complete compliance with the statutory directive.
Violators of the prohibition order face stringent legal actions, including product seizures, cancellation of commercial licences, and prosecution under the Food Safety and Standards Act. Public health advocates across the state have welcomed the regulatory move, describing it as a vital intervention toward fostering healthier communities and deterring youth from initiating substance use habits.
