Comprehensive Ban on Gutka in Gujarat
A comprehensive ban on the production and sale of gutka will come into effect in Gujarat from today, as per the notification issued by the state government. However, there is a catch in the notification issued: the sale of gutka will be prohibited, but one would be free to sell tobacco, betel nut, and lime separately. The ban, as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, would initially be for one year.
Any violation of the ban would attract at least six months of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, according to the notification. However, the prohibition would not be applicable in respect of 100 percent export-oriented units. The ban will also not be applicable to pan masala. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey of India 2009-10 revealed that 35 percent of adults use tobacco in some form or other, out of which 21 percent were found to be consuming smokeless tobacco (like gutka). According to this survey, smokeless tobacco use is more prevalent in Gujarat, with 18.4 percent of the adult population addicted to it. The Maharashtra government had recently imposed a ban on gutka and pan masala. Some other states like Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar had also followed suit.
Gutka may have been banned in Gujarat, but not the separate ingredients it is made of. Effectively, addicts in Gujarat - the unofficial mouth cancer capital of the country - may still be able to consume this deadly tobacco preparation without breaking the law. The positive aspect of the ban, however, is that gutka will no longer be easily available in pouches, restricting access to vulnerable groups, like children.
From India, Ahmadabad
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34A comprehensive ban on the production and sale of gutka will come into effect in Gujarat from today, as per the notification issued by the state government. However, there is a catch in the notification issued: the sale of gutka will be prohibited, but one would be free to sell tobacco, betel nut, and lime separately. The ban, as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, would initially be for one year.
Any violation of the ban would attract at least six months of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, according to the notification. However, the prohibition would not be applicable in respect of 100 percent export-oriented units. The ban will also not be applicable to pan masala. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey of India 2009-10 revealed that 35 percent of adults use tobacco in some form or other, out of which 21 percent were found to be consuming smokeless tobacco (like gutka). According to this survey, smokeless tobacco use is more prevalent in Gujarat, with 18.4 percent of the adult population addicted to it. The Maharashtra government had recently imposed a ban on gutka and pan masala. Some other states like Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar had also followed suit.
Gutka may have been banned in Gujarat, but not the separate ingredients it is made of. Effectively, addicts in Gujarat - the unofficial mouth cancer capital of the country - may still be able to consume this deadly tobacco preparation without breaking the law. The positive aspect of the ban, however, is that gutka will no longer be easily available in pouches, restricting access to vulnerable groups, like children.
From India, Ahmadabad
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Thumbs up for both valuable posts here. Hope that this ban is taken seriously and the rules are followed. Otherwise, if it isn't followed, it will be the same as what's happening with smoking, which is banned in public but not taken seriously. It is ridiculous when laws made for improvement are not properly followed. Even when people are aware of the negative impact of their actions or consumption, they still continue, and by the time they realize their mistakes, it's too late.
We can't blame only the government for everything. Changes need to be initiated by us, the common people, and spread widely.
From India, Vadodara
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We can't blame only the government for everything. Changes need to be initiated by us, the common people, and spread widely.
From India, Vadodara
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The ban is only to create illegal fund generation for business people, and nothing is going to change with this ban. ₹100 liquor is being sold for ₹250, similar to how ₹2 Gutkha will be sold for ₹5. If the police catch someone, the police will benefit, and if a case is filed, the government will benefit in the form of fines from the liquor/gutkha consumers. Still, Gujarat is the state with more drinkers/gutkha chewers in India. Anyhow, let us welcome this move from the State Government.
From India, Kumbakonam
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From India, Kumbakonam
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