Gutka, pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine banned in Assam

GUWAHATI: Assam has banned manufacture and distribution of gutka and pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine. The ban is for a period of one year.

According to a state government notification these goods are banned under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The government has announced that it will soon table a legislation banning these products.

Assam has couple of big pan masala manufacturers prominent among them is Dharampal Satyapal (DS) Group. Assam earns close to Rs 7.98 Crore as tax from sale of tobacco products in the state.

According to the state government according to survey, 3.20 lakh packets of tobacco products, including cigarettes and gutka, are sold every day in the state.