Odisha Bans Gutkha, Pan Masala, All Tobacco Products; Strengthens 2013 Order

• Odisha's Health Department announced a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of gutkha, pan masala, and all tobacco products.
• The ban, issued by Health Secretary Aswathy S, aims to remove ambiguities from the 2013 prohibition and ensure uniform enforcement across the state, following Supreme Court directives.
• It covers both packaged and unpackaged products, including those sold separately but intended for mixing, and all chewable food products, flavored or unflavored, containing tobacco or nicotine.
• The central government will levy additional excise duty and a new cess on pan masala from February 1, alongside a 40% GST rate on pan masala, cigarettes, and tobacco products (18% on beedis).
• The Finance Ministry also notified new rules for chewing tobacco packing machines, and the current GST compensation cess will cease from February 1.

Why It Matters: Odisha has implemented a comprehensive ban on all tobacco products, reinforcing earlier restrictions and aligning with central government tax changes.