Andhra Pradesh government decides to ban gutkha

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh government today decided to impose ban on sale of gutkha, pan masala and other such tobacco products in the state.

State Commissioner of Food Safety had requested the government to permit him to impose ban on gutkha, pan masala and other chewable products, a Government Order (GO) issued today said.

The government, after examination of the request, permitted the Commissioner of Food Safety today to prohibit the manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients, in the interest of public health.

Civil society activists and others had earlier requested the government to ban the sale of gutkha and pan masala in the state in public interest.