Odisha Bans Gutka, Pan Masala, All Tobacco Products Statewide

• Odisha government has imposed a complete ban on the production, processing, storage, transportation, sale, and trade of gutka, pan masala, zarda, khaini, and all nicotine-containing products.
• The decision aligns with Supreme Court directives and aims to protect public health, especially given Odisha's high gutka consumption rate and associated oral cancer cases.
• The ban covers both packed and unpacked tobacco products, including flavored or unflavored chewable items containing tobacco, regardless of their name or form.
• A special team will be appointed to enforce the ban across the state, strengthening previous 2013 regulations.
• Challenges include potential smuggling from bordering states and a loss of state revenue from tobacco taxes.

Why It Matters: Odisha implements a comprehensive statewide ban on all tobacco and nicotine products to safeguard public health.