Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Karnataka bans gutka, pan masala, tobacco products for one year
Karnataka is a state in India.
Its government has made a new rule that lasts for one year.
The rule says people cannot make, store, move, or sell certain snacks and tobacco products.
These products include gutka and pan masala, which can contain tobacco and nicotine.
Tobacco and nicotine can make people sick.
The government made this rule to protect people's health.
People can still use these products if they want; the rule only stops shops and companies from selling them.
The rule began with a government notice on August 10.
Food safety officers will check shops across Karnataka to make sure everyone follows the rule.
Karnataka has imposed a one-year statewide ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation, and sale of gutka, pan masala, and other products containing tobacco and/or nicotine.
The ban was issued through a government notification on August 10 under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.
Consumption of the products is not banned; only their manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale are restricted.
The ban also covers products in which tobacco or nicotine is packed separately but sold in a way that lets consumers mix and use the ingredients together.
The Food Safety Division of the Department of Food Safety and Drugs Administration is conducting special inspection and enforcement drives across Karnataka under Food Safety Officers.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, acting through the State Food Safety Commissioner and the Food Safety Division of the Department of Food Safety and Drugs Administration.
- What
- A one-year ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation, and sale of gutka, pan masala, and other products containing tobacco and/or nicotine.
- When
- The notification was issued on August 10 and took effect from the date of issuance; the ban lasts for one year.
- Where
- Across the state of Karnataka.
- Why
- In the interest of public health and safety.
- Ban scope
- Manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation, and sale of products containing tobacco and/or nicotine
- Duration
- One year
- Notification date
- August 10
- Legal basis
- Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Regulation 2.3.4 of the FSS (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011
- Products covered
- Gutka, pan masala, and other products containing tobacco and/or nicotine, including separate packs sold for mixing
- Enforcement
- Special inspection and enforcement drives by Food Safety Officers across Karnataka
- Consumption
- Not banned
