¨     Odisha State Health Department has announced a strict ban on gutkha, pan masala, and all products containing tobacco or nicotine.

¨     This new notification aims to prevent misuse of these products and ensure public health safety.
¨     The ban covers manufacturing, sale, storage, transportation, and distribution of these items, including both packaged and unpackaged forms, making Odisha fully compliant with the Supreme Court’s nationwide directives.
Complete Ban on Manufacturing and Sale
¨     The Health and Family Welfare Department has issued a notification prohibiting the manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of gutkha, pan masala, and any tobacco or nicotine products.
¨     The ban applies to both packaged and unpackaged items, including products sold separately but meant to be mixed together.
Previous Restrictions and New Updates
¨     Odisha had banned the sale of tobacco products in 2013. However, the updated notification removes ambiguities and ensures strict enforcement across the state. Health Secretary Aswathy S stated that the ban follows the Supreme Court’s direction for full compliance with the nationwide prohibition on gutkha and pan masala.