Bhubaneswar, Jan 30: The Odisha government has clarified that pan masala will not be banned in the state. The Health and Family Welfare Department has issued a written clarification to the CT & GST and Finance Departments, stating that pan masala does not contain tobacco or nicotine.
The Health Department noted that the consumption of tobacco products such as gutkha, zarda, khaini and gudakhu has led to a rise in cancer cases across the state. Cancers of the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach and throat are increasingly being reported. The department has also expressed concern over the growing use of tobacco, pan, betel nut and smoking products among the youth, leading to premature deaths.
According to the second round of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 42 percent of Odisha’s population consumes tobacco, which is nearly double the national average.
Earlier, following Supreme Court directives, the state government had imposed a ban on the sale of gutkha, pan masala, zarda, khaini and other food products containing tobacco and nicotine. However, the government has now withdrawn its earlier decision regarding pan masala. The Health Department has clarified that since pan masala does not contain nicotine, it will not be banned in Odisha.
