A complete ban on the production and the sale of gutka would be in effect today as mentioned by the government. The chief minister made the decision of ban in his speech on the I-Day, August 15, when he announced the complete ban starting September 11.

Though the ban was complete there is a slight kink in the knot as the ingredients for gutka would all be freely available; tobacco, lime or beetle nut production would not be interrupted.

The ban as per provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 would initially be for one year, Gujarat's Commissioner of Food Safety Dr H G Koshia said. Violators of the ban would be subjected to a imprisonment of six months and also a fine of Rs 5 lakh according to the notification. Pan Masala is not included in the ban and the 100 per cent export oriented production.

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey of India 2009-10 revealed that smokeless tobacco use is more prevalent in Gujarat. 18.4% of the adults in the state go for smokeless forms of gutka. The Maharashtra government had recently imposed a ban on gutka and pan masala and Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar had also followed suit.

The ban may not completely prevent adults from making their own gutka but this would definitely keep it out of the reach of vulnerable children who earlier had unlimited access to gutka.

(AW- Anil)