Uttarakhand government has taken a big decision in the interest of public health. Under this, the manufacturing, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha, pan masala and tobacco or nicotine containing food items has been banned in the state for one year. There is a complete ban on the production, storage, sale and distribution of gutka, pan masala or other food items containing tobacco and nicotine sold under any name in the entire state from October 13, 2026 for the next one year.
On Tuesday, Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Uttarakhand, Vinay Shankar Pandey issued an order in this regard. Under this, this decision has been taken using the powers of Section 92 and Section 30(2) read with Section 26 of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
Restrictions were imposed many times before
Let us tell you, Uttarakhand government had earlier banned Gutkha and other such products in the year 2013 also. After this, restrictions were imposed through such orders in the years 2015 and 2019 also. In Uttarakhand, the state government has taken a big step with the aim of protecting public health and preventing the harm caused by tobacco and nicotine consumption. Under the order issued by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA), the manufacturing of gutkha, pan masala and other related food products containing tobacco and nicotine along with its storage, distribution and sale has been banned for one year in the state.
This ban is going to be effective from 13 October 2026. If media reports are to be believed, this order has been issued by Food Safety and Drug Administration Commissioner Shankar Pandey. The order was aimed at curbing the supply and sale of banned products. In this way, there is a process to protect the common people, especially the youth, from their ill effects.
Know which things are banned
According to the order, the scope of the ban applies to products that contain tobacco or nicotine. There will also be a ban on selling such products separately or in combination. Under the ban, activities like manufacturing related products, storing them in warehouses or other places, distributing them and selling them in the market will be prohibited. It will be mandatory for food traders, shopkeepers, distributors and manufacturers to follow the order. In case of violation of rules by the concerned departments, action can be taken as per rules. It has been informed that this ban has been imposed on the basis of the provisions of Section 26, Section 30(2) and Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 along with the Food Safety and Standards (Sale Prohibitions and Restrictions) Regulations, 2011.