West Bengal puts complete ban on manufacture, storage, sale of Gutka, Pan Masala

The West Bengal government has imposed a complete ban on the production and sale of gutka, pan masala in the state for one year with effect from 7 November. The Mamta Banerjee government of West Bengal has issued a notification to put a complete ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutka and pan masala in the entire state.

As per the reports, the government has taken this step to control the adverse effects of using tobacco. It was found that not only adults but minors were also consuming gutka and pan masala. Earlier, the Mamata Banerjee government of West Bengal had imposed a similar ban in May 2013 for a year.

Earlier, Bengal's neighbouring state Bihar also banned the sale of gutka and pan masala in August this year. The decision was taken when the Nitish Kumar government came into the power and imposed a complete ban in Bihar.

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Key Points

• As per the West Bengal government’s order, manufacturing, storage, distribution, transportation, demonstration and sale will be completely banned under the Food Safety Act of Government of India.
• The state government believes that a large number of people are suffering from cancer and similar diseases due to consumption of gutka and tobacco. This action will help to control the adverse effects of such products.
• When the Rajasthan government banned tobacco mixed gutka and e-cigarettes, the Pan Masala Companies started selling tobacco and pan masala separately after that ban.

Tobacco and Cancer

About 65 per cent of the world's people consuming tobacco products such as gutka and khaini are in India and 90 per cent of oral cancer cases occur here due to the use of these products. As per the data of the cancer society of India, about 48% male and 20% of women consume tobacco products in India. Tobacco consumption affects almost every major part of the body, which can result in severe health issue or premature death. The use of tobacco can cause cancer in various parts of the body including the mouth, throat, brain, goitre, lungs, gall bladder, kidneys and breast. About 45 per cent of all cancers in men and 17 per cent in women have oral cancer and more than 80 per cent of oral cancer happen due to the use of tobacco.

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