All forms of chewable tobacco banned

Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, March 30

Sale, purchase, storage and manufacturing of all the forms of chewable tobacco, including gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco, are banned in the national Capital from today. 

In order to implement the order, the Delhi Government has decided to run campaigns on a large scale to educate the masses about the ban and harmful effect of chewable tobacco. Citizens' monitoring committees will be formed in every constituency to educate the masses.

The AAP government has issued a notification banning all the products of chewable tobacco in all forms. However, no such ban will be enforced on cigarettes in the Capital.

"To implement the ban from today, several teams of Delhi Police, MCD, Food Adulteration will conduct surprise raids. The ban on such products will continue for next one year and thereafter, the government will extend the ban every year keeping in mind public interest," Health Minister Satyendra Jain said.

Over 10,000 people die of oral cancer caused by tobacco every year and for public health, the government will not allow the sale, purchase and storage of gutka, pan masala, scented tobacco and similar products containing tobacco, said a Health Department official. 

Appeals will be issued to people to report any violation if they get to see sale of any tobacco product in their area. "We will take strict action against the violators. In the citizen's monitoring committees, RWAs will be included so that the ban could be strictly enforced," said the official. 

The action is a follow-up work as there was a Delhi Government notification in September 2012 which was in pursuance of a series of directions from the Supreme Court on banning gutkha in New Delhi.

However, due to loopholes in the form of the gutka term mentioned in the ban, the tobacco retailers started selling the components of gutkha, such as betel nut and raw tobacco in separate pouches, thereby foiling the purpose of ban, according to the official.