In a major step to protect public health, the Karnataka government has announced a strict one year ban on gutkha and pan masala across the state. This complete ban applies to any product that contains tobacco or nicotine as an ingredient. Under the new order, no person, shopkeeper, or company can manufacture, store, distribute, transport, or sell these harmful chewing items anywhere in Karnataka.
The official notification was issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Food Safety in Bengaluru. Senior authorities stated that this big decision was taken due to growing public health concerns, particularly to control deadly diseases like oral cancer and prevent young people from getting addicted to chewing tobacco.
This strict ban covers all forms of products, whether they are packaged or unpackaged and sold in sachets, pouches, or containers. Significantly, the prohibition also applies to twin pack products where pan masala and tobacco are sold in separate packets so that buyers can mix them together.
To enforce this ban strictly, food safety officers across every district of Karnataka have already started conducting special inspection drives at local shops, wholesale godowns, and transport check posts. Anyone found violating the official notification will face severe legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act. Government officials have also appealed to common citizens to report any illegal sales in their neighborhood.
