Ban on gutkha, pan masala in Gujarat extended for another year; effective from September 13

The Gujarat government has extended the state-wide ban on the manufacturing, storage, distribution, and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine for another year. The extended restriction will come into force on September 13, 2026, and remain effective through September 12, 2027.

According to a notification from the Commissioner of Food Safety, the prohibition applies to all tobacco and nicotine-infused products regardless of brand name. The ban also covers raw materials or separate ingredients that are sold to be mixed together for preparing gutkha or pan masala. State authorities confirmed that strict legal action will be initiated against any individual or enterprise violating the order.

The extension was announced via a press release from the Chief Minister's Office, which highlighted health concerns and representations submitted by non-governmental organizations. Research conducted by the Tata Memorial Hospital, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and HAMER indicates that consuming gutkha and pan masala is carcinogenic and drastically raises the incidence of oral cancer. Furthermore, findings from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey show that 35 percent of adults in India consume tobacco, with 21 percent using smokeless variants.

The Government of Gujarat has consistently enforced the ban on smokeless tobacco products since 2012 to safeguard public health and build a tobacco-free society. Parallel to its public health policies, the state is continuing its drive to attract industrial investments and high-technology manufacturing.

Speaking at the curtain raiser event for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel invited national and international business leaders to invest in the state. The 11th edition of the summit, themed Viksit Gujarat: Shaping Global Future, is scheduled to take place from January 10 to 12, 2027.

Patel stated that the government is focusing on long-term economic drivers and emerging industries rather than short-term growth. He pointed out that Gujarat currently hosts six of the 12 semiconductor plants approved across India, three of which are already operational. The Chief Minister also highlighted key infrastructure projects, including Dholera as a smart industrial city and GIFT City as a major hub for international finance and technology.

To support these initiatives, Gujarat has launched sector-specific frameworks covering data centers, green hydrogen, Global Capability Centres, and shipbuilding. Patel emphasized that these economic strategies align with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to position Gujarat as a global leader in high-tech manufacturing and sustainable development.

#Gujarat #HealthPolicy #BhupendraPatel #NarendraModi #India #VibrantGujarat #PublicHealth