Karnataka Bans Sale, Distribution of Ghutka, Pan Masala For A Year

Bengaluru: Commissioner of Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration on Wednesday exercising powers conferred on him under Section of (2) (a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Regulations, 2011, prohibited the sale and distribution of products containing tobacco and nicotine throughout the State for a period of one year.

A government notification was issued on August 10 and the prohibition of sale and distribution of tobacco and nicotine is keeping in mind the interest of public health.

The notification stated gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco/nicotine and any other product marketed having tobacco or nicotine in the final product by whatever name called, whether packaged or packaged and/or sold as one product or through packaged as separate products, sold and distributed in such a manner to easily facilitate mixing by the consumer are prohibited.

It may be recalled here, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had hinted at banning gutkha/pan masala/chewing tobacco among others in the State if the samples collected and sent for lab analysis reports came across intoxicating substances.

Shivakumar stated certain intoxicating substances being mixed into pan masala, gutka, areca nut and other such products engineered and sold to give “a drug-like high’ to users.

Addressing the gathering at the 31st Foundation Day of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and ‘Drug-Free India Conclave’ held at Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru in June this year, the Chief Minister stated “Building a drug-free Karnataka is our goal” and appealed to youths “to master the power of first refusal when facing peer pressure (over use of drugs)” and asked them “to decide their answer before the moment arrives.”

“The use of drugs takes you to hell disguised as heaven. Be careful of momentary joy,” he cautioned the students/youths.