Karnataka Imposes One-Year Ban on Sale of Tobacco and Gutkha Products

Bengaluru, August 12: The Karnataka Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration has intensified its crackdown on gutkha, pan masala, and other tobacco and nicotine products. This action follows a government notification that imposes a one-year ban on the sale and distribution of these products across the state.

According to an official release from the office of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Commissioner in Bengaluru, the notification issued on August 10 is aimed at protecting public health and will remain in effect for one year from the date of issuance.

Under this notification, the manufacturing, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine are prohibited throughout Karnataka. The restrictions also extend to other products sold separately but that ultimately contain tobacco or nicotine.

The department stated that products sold in separate packages to facilitate customer access are also included in this ban.

The Food Safety Division is conducting special inspection and enforcement campaigns across the state under the supervision of food safety officials. The objective is to monitor the production, storage, transport, distribution, and sale of the restricted tobacco and nicotine products.

The department emphasized that strict regulations will be enforced to prevent the circulation of banned products.

The Commissioner of the Food Safety and Drug Administration has urged the public to report any information regarding the production, sale, or distribution of prohibited tobacco and nicotine products to the authorities.

The department also seeks the cooperation of the public in its efforts to curb the availability of these products and promote a “healthy and addiction-free Karnataka.”

The release stated, “The Food Safety and Drug Administration department appeals to the public to inform the relevant authorities if they come across information regarding the production, sale, or distribution of banned tobacco and nicotine products, and to contribute to creating a healthy and addiction-free Karnataka.”