The Uttarakhand government has prohibited the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha, pan masala and other food products containing tobacco or nicotine across the state for one year.
The directive was issued on October 13 by the Office of the Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, Uttarakhand, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The restriction will remain effective for one year from the date of issuance.
It applies to tobacco- and nicotine-containing products available in the market, covering activities from manufacturing and storage to distribution and retail sales. The government has cited public health concerns as the basis for the measure.
Legal provisions behind the order
The order refers to Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The regulation does not permit tobacco or nicotine to be used as ingredients in food products.
It also relies on Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, which authorises the state Food Safety Commissioner to prohibit the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of food articles throughout the state for up to one year when such action is considered necessary to protect public health.
The state government has noted that tobacco and nicotine are commonly used in products including gutkha and pan masala, making restrictions on their availability necessary in the public interest.
Officials directed to implement ban
The order has been circulated to the Chief Secretary, the Health Department, the Director General of Health and district authorities for information and necessary action.
Officials of the Food Safety and Drug Administration have also been instructed to enforce the directive across Uttarakhand. The move places the state among those using food safety provisions to restrict tobacco- and nicotine-containing gutkha and pan masala products.
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