Karnataka imposes one-year ban on tobacco-laced gutkha, pan masala

Bengaluru, Aug 12: The Karnataka government has imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco and/or nicotine across the state, citing public health concerns.

The ban was issued through a notification dated June 15, 2026, by the Commissioner of Food Safety, Karnataka State.

The order has been issued under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, read with Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.

The notification prohibits gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients. It also covers other products marketed separately that contain tobacco or nicotine in their final form, irrespective of the name under which they are sold.

The restriction applies to both packaged and unpackaged products. It also covers products sold separately in a manner that allows consumers to easily mix them together.

The notification specifically includes gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine and packed in sachets, pouches, packages or containers, or marketed under any other name.

The order was issued by the Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Bengaluru, as part of measures aimed at safeguarding public health across the state.