Odisha government bans manufacture of tobacco and nicotine products
Bhubaneswar (By Abhishek Mohanty):
The Odisha Government has imposed a complete ban on the production of tobacco and nicotine-based products in the state. The Health and Family Welfare Department issued the notification on January 21, in line with directions of the Supreme Court and guidelines of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
With this move, Odisha’s regulations are now fully aligned with national food safety standards. The ban applies to all chewable food products containing tobacco or nicotine, including those that are flavoured, scented, mixed, or combined with additives.
The prohibition is being enforced under Section 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The new notification replaces the earlier order dated January 3, 2013, which banned the sale of tobacco products, thereby removing ambiguities and ensuring uniform enforcement across the state.
Emphasising the urgency of the decision, the government stated that the measure is crucial for creating a tobacco-free society and safeguarding public health, especially that of children and youth. The notification also cited the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under the World Health Organization, which has classified smokeless tobacco products such as gutkha, zarda, khaini, and flavoured chewing tobacco as carcinogenic to humans.
These products are highly addictive and are strongly associated with cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, and severe oral health damage.
The state government has appealed to citizens to strictly follow the ban and support efforts to build a healthier, tobacco-free Odisha.
