On Wednesday, Odisha announced a statewide ban on all products containing tobacco or nicotine. Aligning with the directions from the Supreme Court of India and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the ban covers products like gutkha, pan masala, zarda, khaini, and all tobacco and nicotine-containing products. Here’s all you need to know about this.
Odisha Bans All Tobacco-Nicotine Products
Back in 2013, Odisha banned the sale of tobacco products. Now, ensuring uniform compliance across the state and removing all ambiguities, the state government has introduced a more comprehensive ban under Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, part of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
This prohibits the manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of gutkha, pan masala, and all products containing tobacco in Odisha, The New Indian Express reported.
In the notification, the state Health secretary mentioned that this decision is in compliance with directions of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has, reportedly, instructed health department secretaries of all states to ensure strict enforcement of the ban on the manufacturing and sale of gutkha and pan masala.
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All You Need To Know About This
As per The New Indian Express report, Odisha has banned both packaged and unpackaged tobacco and nicotine products. This includes all chewable, smokable, flavoured, scented, as well as packaged and unpackaged products. Furthermore, no matter how the product is sold–single items, in multiple packets, packaged or unpackaged–they have all been banned.
Moneycontrol also reported that products such as pan masala, cigarettes, and other tobacco-containing items will attract a 40% Goods and Services Tax (GST) from February 1. Beedis, meanwhile, will be taxed at 18% GST. In addition, a Health and National Security Cess will also be imposed on pan masala and tobacco-related products.
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