Gutka ban: Spit it out or cough it up

Bengaluru: The state government has finally woken up to the dangers of tobacco use. State Food Safety Comm, V.B. Patil, who is also the Commissioner for Health and Family Welfare, issued a notification on Wed­nesday prohibiting the manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of gutka and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine ingredients with immediate effect in the state. “It will take us another ten days to clear stocks from all the shops,” said Madan Gopal, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department.

Announcing the government initiative at an event to commemorate  World No Tobacco Day on Friday, Health Minister U.T. Khader said, “People in the age group of 26-50, considered the most productive, are the worst hit. Following the ban,  we will start counselling sessions at primary health centers and smaller hospitals across the state.” Mr Khader said, “Gutka products contain very little amount of areca and the growers will not be affected that badly.”

The circular was issued to all the designated food safety officers and district health officers on Friday. The food safety commissioner is chalking out a plan to implement the ban in coordination with the State Health and Family Welfare Department. The Supreme Court, while declaring gutka and pan masala food products, has ruled that they cannot contain tobacco or nicotine ingredients.

Madan Gopal said, “We should have taken this step much earlier. About 25 states and two Union Territories have already banned gutka and pan masala. The effects of the ban will be visible 2-3 weeks. We are still working out the penalties for the violators.”