The Odisha government has implemented a statewide ban on all tobacco and nicotine-containing products, including gutkha, pan masala, zarda, and khaini, in line with the Supreme Court's directives, aimed at safeguarding public health. The production, sale, and distribution of these tobacco-related products have been completely prohibited across the state, as the government has emphasised that they pose a significant risk to public health.
The State Health Department announced on Thursday a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of gutkha, pan masala, and all products containing tobacco. This ban represents a crucial step in ensuring the safety and well-being of the population. Although the official notification from the Odisha government does not specifically name cigarettes and beedis, it does, however, ban the production, sale, distribution, and storage of all tobacco products.
The Odisha government is urging its citizens to adhere to the new regulations and support the effort to create a tobacco-free and healthier state. The ban covers gutkha, pan masala, zarda, khaini, and any other food items containing tobacco or nicotine. It applies to all forms, whether chewable or smokable, flavoured, scented, packaged, or unpackaged, and regardless of the product’s name.
"According to a recent survey, tobacco-based gutkha consumption in Odisha is twice the national average. This has resulted in a sharp increase in cases of oral and mouth cancers," said Mukesh Mahalinga, the state’s Health Minister.
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The Minister also announced that a specialised squad will be set up to ensure the ban is effectively enforced across the state.
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“As a result, the government has decided to prohibit the use of gutkha in public spaces. A dedicated squad will be responsible for enforcing the ban, and we urge the public to avoid consuming tobacco-based gutkha and support our mission to create a cancer-free and healthier Odisha,” he stated.
The new notification replaces an earlier order from January 3, 2013, issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department. "Several products with various names containing tobacco and nicotine are widely available in the market and consumption of such products is hazardous to the health of the public," the notification read.