Gandhinagar, Aug 31 (IANS) Gujarat has extended its ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine for another year, with the renewed prohibition coming into effect from September 13, 2026, and remaining in force until September 12, 2027.
The Commissioner of Food Safety issued the notification on August 31, citing public health concerns and representations received from various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The ban has been enforced in Gujarat since 2012 and will continue to cover such products irrespective of the name under which they are marketed.
The order also covers ingredients that are sold separately but are intended to be mixed together to prepare gutkha or pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine as the final product.
Authorities have warned that strict legal action will be taken against those found violating the prohibition.
According to the notification, research conducted by Tata Memorial Hospital, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and ‘HAMER’ has indicated that consumption of gutkha and pan masala is carcinogenic and substantially increases the risk of oral cancer.
The notification also refers to findings from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), according to which 35 per cent of adults in India consume tobacco, while 21 per cent were found to use smokeless tobacco.
The state government said the decision to extend the prohibition was taken in view of the need to protect citizens’ health and following representations from NGOs.
The renewed order will, therefore, continue the restrictions that Gujarat has maintained for more than a decade.
The ban specifically targets gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine, as well as separately sold components intended to circumvent the prohibition by being combined later.
Enforcement agencies have been directed to take action against manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of products covered by the notification.
The extension means the existing prohibition will remain in effect without a break, from September 13 this year through September 12, 2027.
–IANS
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