The commissioner of food safety has ordered a ban on gutka and pan masala (containing tobacco or nicotine)sold separately. The action comes in the wake of the recent direction of the Supreme Court.
The order, passed by the commissioner of food safety, health and family welfare services, has asked all the deputy commissioners, designated officers and food safety officers to ensure prohibition on manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of gutka and pan masala and any other products marketed separately or sold as one product.
Karnataka has already enforced a ban on sale of gutka. However, in order to circumvent the prohibition, pan masala (without tobacco) is being sold with flavoured chewing tobacco in separate sachets which are available with the same vendors. The new rule means a ban on manufacture and sale of tobacco even in separate sachets.
Commending the move, Dr USVishal Rao, a member of High-Power Committee on Tobacco Control, Government of Karnataka, said that the new order imposes a ban on all forms of chewing tobacco. "In a state where over 20% of the population consume chewing tobacco, this step is important," he added.
The order, passed by the commissioner of food safety, health and family welfare services, has asked all the deputy commissioners, designated officers and food safety officers to ensure prohibition on manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of gutka and pan masala and any other products marketed separately or sold as one product.
Karnataka has already enforced a ban on sale of gutka. However, in order to circumvent the prohibition, pan masala (without tobacco) is being sold with flavoured chewing tobacco in separate sachets which are available with the same vendors. The new rule means a ban on manufacture and sale of tobacco even in separate sachets.
Commending the move, Dr USVishal Rao, a member of High-Power Committee on Tobacco Control, Government of Karnataka, said that the new order imposes a ban on all forms of chewing tobacco. "In a state where over 20% of the population consume chewing tobacco, this step is important," he added.