Uttarakhand bans gutkha, pan masala, food products containing tobacco for a year

The Uttarakhand government has barred the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha, pan masala and other food products containing tobacco or nicotine for one year. The order cites food safety rules and follows similar restrictions issued in 2013, 2015 and 2019.

Uttarakhand has imposed similar bans on tobacco in the past, including orders in 2013, 2015 and 2019. (Getty Images)

New Delhi,Oct 13, 2026 17:20 IST

The Uttarakhand government on Tuesday imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha, pan masala and other food products containing tobacco or nicotine.

Food Safety and Drug Administration Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey issued the order today, citing public health concerns. The prohibition applies across the state and will remain in force for one year from the date of the order.

The directive invokes Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, which prohibits the use of tobacco and nicotine as ingredients in food products. It was issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Uttarakhand has imposed similar bans on tobacco in the past, including orders in 2013, 2015 and 2019.

- Ends