Blanket ban on ghutka/pan masala in Kerala

In a powerful statement that re-affirms Kerala’s commitment to public health, the Government has decided to ban ghutka/pan masala in the whole of the state with immediate effect.

Kerala has thus become the second State in the country after Madhya Pradesh to ban ghutka products.

Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri.Oommen Chandy announced this at a press conference on 25 May 2012 and said the increasing incidence of ghutka/pan masala-induced diseases, including oral cancers, prompted the Government to go in for a total ban of such products in Kerala. 

“I have come across oral cancer patients and understand the pain and trauma that they and their family members undergo. Though our state has advanced centres and experts for cancer care, use of ghutka/pan masala is inviting unwarranted suffering,” he said.

“The Government would spare no efforts to enforce the ban on ghutka/pan masala and will take strong measures to maintain and improve the health of our people,” the Chief Minister said, hoping that this Kerala model in the public health would be another precedent. 

The Chief Minister had written to the Prime Minister in July seeking a total ban on ghutka/pan masala across the country. However, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in last week of April this year, replied that States had the jurisdiction to ban ghutka/pan masala under the Food Safety and Standards Regulation Act, 2011. The Health Department initiated steps immediately in this regard following this.

The notification banning ghutka/pan masala in Kerala issued by Commissioner of Food Safety, Kerala on 22 May prohibits the manufacture, storage, distribution and sales of these products that contain tobacco and nicotine, in whatsoever name it is available in the market today.

The Chief Minister pointed out that a coordinated effort is needed to strictly enforce the ban. “The ban will be successful only if it is implemented in both letter and spirit. We will work with all stakeholders - police, teachers, health personnel and voluntary associations to achieve this,” he said.

Hon’ble Health Minister Shri.V.S.Sivakumar, who was present in the press briefing, said that the Government was aware and concerned about the wide use of tobacco and nicotine in ghutka/pan masala nowadays.

“The use of ghutka/pan masala begins as a mouth freshener or stress reliever. But quickly, people get addicted to these products due to the tobacco and nicotine in them and very soon develop painful oral diseases,” he said.

“Such products are not just favoured by people from poor socio-economic background; today school and college going students are the biggest victims. The Health Ministry will work with the Education Department to ensure that the ban is strictly implemented and monitored with the help of three-tier committees formed for monitoring sale of tobacco products around schools,” the Minister added. 

The ban on gutka/pan masala follows a string of proactive initiatives taken by the Kerala Government for tobacco control. Recently, the Government reinforced its stand on ban on sale of tobacco products such as pan masala around 400 metres of educational institutions, in spite of stiff opposition from traders and dealers.

Image courtesy: The Hindu