Ban On Gutkha May Spread

More states are likely to join Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Gujarat in banning the manufacture, sale, stocking and display of gutkha and pan masala.

While Maharashtra yesterday imposed a five-year ban on gutkha and pan masala with effect from August 1, 2002, Gujarat is studying the Maharashtra order to fortify its own ban.

In Andhra Pradesh, a ban was imposed in March on the manufacture, possession, sale and consumption of gutkha (pan masala with tobacco). But pan masala, equally bad for health, was not included.

The state government had tried to impose a 50 per cent luxury tax on gutkha. When it did not work, it decided to impose a ban on them. But gutkha is easily available in the state because there are many who cannot do without it and companies from Maharashtra and Goa fill the supply void.

 

Andhra Pradesh is the second largest consumer of gutkha after Maharashtra.

Similarly, though the Tamil Nadu government banned the sale of gutkha and pan masala last year, companies continue to manufacture the products in the state and sell them outside.

Gujarat has a somewhat cautious ban. Sale, advertising and display of gutkha and pan masala in hospital compounds, educational institutions and some other public places are not permitted.

But the ban does not seem to have hurt gutkha traders.