Uttarakhand Imposes One-Year Ban on Gutkha and Tobacco-Containing Pan Masala
Officials said the order targets products linked to oral cancer and addiction, and enforcement agencies will monitor manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers for compliance.
- On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Uttarakhand FDA Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey implemented a one-year ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine across the state.
- Authorities imposed these restrictions to mitigate public health risks, including oral cancer and addiction, linked to tobacco and nicotine consumption, invoking provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- The prohibition covers all activities from manufacturing to retail sale, including storage in warehouses, and Food Safety Department officials will monitor compliance and initiate action against violators.
- This measure aligns with national efforts, as the Union government reported that 33 states and Union Territories have previously issued orders banning tobacco-laced food products, including a recent prohibition in Karnataka.
- In 2016, the Supreme Court directed statutory authorities to enforce prohibitions on tobacco-containing food; the current order specifically targets products with tobacco or nicotine under Regulation 2.3.4.
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Uttarakhand Bans Sale of Gutkha, Paan Masala, Tobacco Products for One Year: Uttarakhand CM Dhami
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday said the state government has imposed a one-year ban on the sale of gutkha, paan masala and tobacco products, stressing the need to curb addiction and protect the younger generation. India News | Uttarakhand Bans Sale of Gutkha, Paan Masala, Tobacco Products for One Year: Uttarakhand CM Dhami.
Uttarakhand bans gutkha, pan masala, food products containing tobacco for a year
The Uttarakhand government has barred the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha, pan masala and other food products containing tobacco or nicotine for one year. The order cites food safety rules and follows similar restrictions issued in 2013, 2015 and 2019.
Uttarakhand imposes one-year ban on gutkha and tobacco-containing pan masala
Uttarakhand has imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha, tobacco-containing pan masala and other food products with tobacco or nicotine. The order issued by FSDA Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey takes effect on October 13, 2026.
The Uttarakhand government has banned gutkha, pan masala, and tobacco in the state for one year. The government's decision also completely prohibits the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of nicotine-containing foods in the state. These restrictions will remain in effect for one year.
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