Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has officially announced the ban on all pan masala and gutka products found to contain even traces of intoxicating substances. As reported by The Times of India, the chief minister made these remarks during the 31st Foundation Day celebrations of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan programme held at Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on June 28. The ban represents a concrete enforcement of the earlier warnings issued by the state government, with Shivakumar confirming that he has received information about products being mixed with substances that cause intoxication.
Shivakumar warned that all types of pan masala and gutka products could be banned across Karnataka if manufacturers continue mixing intoxicating substances. According to reports from The Times of India, the chief minister stated that if anyone is found adding even a small quantity of any intoxicating substance to these products, he will make every effort to ban them in Karnataka. He emphasized that if intoxicating substances are being mixed and sold in pan masala, gutka, arecanut, and other products, the practice must be stopped immediately, with the ban now confirmed as implemented. As per ANI, Shivakumar specifically warned that "if this is true and is not stopped immediately, the sale of all kinds of pan masala and gutka products will be banned in Karnataka."
The government has committed to taking action against manufacturers found mixing intoxicants into these products, with the ban now officially implemented. Shivakumar vowed to pursue a ban if the practice of adding intoxicating substances to pan masala, gutka, and related products is confirmed. The chief minister made these statements while calling for collective action against substance abuse during the Nasha Mukt Bharat programme, with the ban now representing concrete enforcement of these warnings. As reported by The Times of India, the Deputy Chief Minister emphasized the state's commitment to tackling substance abuse, stating "Our goal is to create a drug-free Karnataka. We are organising programmes for this."
As reported by The Times of India, Shivakumar called for collective action against substance abuse, urging students and healthcare professionals to act as ambassadors for a drug-free Karnataka. He emphasized that preventing drug addiction is a big challenge and that everyone must come together to ensure the youth do not fall into this trap. The chief minister stated that this is everyone's duty to prevent drug addiction and promote a drug-free environment, with the state now actively working toward creating a drug-free Karnataka through organized programmes and campaigns. Describing Bengaluru as a city known for its pleasant weather, rich culture and advanced healthcare infrastructure, Shivakumar said Karnataka had established itself as one of the country's leading healthcare destinations, calling it the "medical capital of India."
