Maharashtra extended Ban on Gutkha and Paan Masala

Maharashtra state government on 19 July 2013 announced a ban extension on nicotine-laced gutkha and paan masala for another year considering health hazards of these products.

In July 2012, the government had banned the sale, storage and consumption of nicotine-laced gutkha and paan masala in any form for a year, which was to end on 19 July 2013. The government move was prompted by the incidence of oral diseases, including cancer due to consumption of such gutkha and paan masala.

Under the Food Safety & Standards Act, sale of items containing nicotine or tobacco (as in gutkha or paan masala) has been prohibited in the interest of public health. As many as 26 Indian states have so far banned gutkha and paan masala, besides five union territories.

What is Food Safety & Standards Act?
• This Act is actually called the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• It extends to the whole of India.
• It shall come into force on such date as the Union Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint, and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the coming into force of that provision.