Archive · 24 Jan 2026
Odisha Bans All Tobacco Products
The Odisha government has issued a new order to ban all products that contain tobacco or nicotine.
This includes things like gutkha and pan masala.
The government is doing this because the Supreme Court said that some companies were selling pan masala without tobacco but also selling flavoured tobacco in separate packets, so people could mix them.
The health minister said that officials will make sure everyone follows the ban.
A survey found that more than 42% of adults in Odisha use smokeless tobacco, which is a lot higher than the national average.
The government said that chewing tobacco can cause cancer, so they are banning it to keep people healthy.
The Odisha government has issued a fresh order banning all products containing tobacco or nicotine.
The ban includes gutkha, pan masala, zarda, khaini, and any flavoured or scented tobacco products.
The order is in compliance with a Supreme Court directive to ensure total compliance with the ban on tobacco products.
District drugs inspectors will enforce the ban to ensure compliance.
Over 42% of Odisha's adult population uses smokeless tobacco, which is almost double the national average.
- Who
- Odisha Government
- What
- Issued a fresh order banning all tobacco and nicotine products
- When
- Wednesday (unspecified date)
- Where
- Odisha, India
- Why
- To comply with the Supreme Court order and prevent the sale of products that can be mixed to consume tobacco
- Issuing Authority
- Odisha Government
- Date of Initial Ban
- January 3, 2013
- Date of Fresh Notification
- Wednesday (unspecified date)
- Enforcement Authority
- District Drugs Inspectors
- Percentage of Adult Tobacco Users in Odisha
- 42%
- National Average of Adult Tobacco Users
- 21%
- Banned Products
- All products containing tobacco or nicotine, including gutkha, pan masala, zarda, khaini, and flavoured or scented tobacco
- Health Risk
- Classified as cancer-causing substances by the International Agency for Research on Cancer under the WHO