Bad news for gutkha-paan masala eaters, tobacco banned in Jharkhand
Jharkhand government has taken a tough stand on gutkha and pan masala and has completely banned it (Jharkhand Gutka Ban). The health department has issued an official notification regarding this. After this, the manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of tobacco or nicotine-containing gutkha and pan masala has been completely banned for one year.
Gutkha-Pan Masala banned
Additional Chief Secretary cum State Food Safety Commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh has directed to implement this order. As soon as the notification is issued, the manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of gutkha and pan masala has now become illegal in Jharkhand. According to the notification, strict action will be taken against anyone caught selling gutkha and pan masala containing zarda i.e. tobacco or nicotine.
Why was the ban imposed?
The government has taken this decision keeping in mind the health of the public. This ban has been imposed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Along with this, the sections of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulation, 2011 have also been followed in it.
This step has been taken in view of the increase in cases of oral cancer in Jharkhand. According to government data, the number of cancer patients is increasing rapidly due to the consumption of gutkha and pan masala in the state.
When was the ban imposed before?
This is not the first time that gutkha and pan masala have been banned in Jharkhand. Gutkha was banned on 8 May 2020 after the presence of magnesium carbonate was found. In 2022, the then Chief Minister Hemant Soren also imposed a one-year ban on 11 brands of pan masala. This time, to strictly implement the ban, the government has directed the Director, PRD to publish this notification in newspapers for three days so that the general public can get information about it.
