Uttarakhand has implemented a comprehensive one-year ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha, pan masala and other food products containing tobacco or nicotine. According to reports from NDTV Profit, the order was issued on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 by Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The prohibition covers products containing tobacco and nicotine that are available in the market across Uttarakhand, with the restrictions taking effect from October 13, 2026 and remaining in force for one year. This marks the fourth such ban by Uttarakhand, following previous orders in 2013, 2015 and 2019.
The ban is based on 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. As reported by NDTV Profit, the state government invoked Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, which empowers the state Food Safety Commissioner to prohibit the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of food articles across the state for a period of up to one year when considered necessary for public health. The regulations specifically prohibit the use of tobacco and nicotine as ingredients in any food product, with the order noting that while gutkha and pan masala are classified as food products, tobacco and nicotine are used in their composition. The ban also extends to other food products containing tobacco and nicotine, regardless of whether they are available as a pre-mixed blend or sold separately, with these substances mixed separately with food products for consumption posing a threat to public health.
According to NDTV Profit, the administration has circulated the order to senior state officials, including the Chief Secretary, the Health Department, the Director General of Health and district authorities for information and necessary action. Food safety and drug administration officials have also been directed to implement the order. The restrictions extend to warehouses and other storage facilities where these products may be kept before being supplied to the market, with manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers not permitted to manufacture, store, distribute or sell the prohibited products during the ban period. Copies of the order have been forwarded to the health department, district magistrates, chief medical officers, and relevant food safety officials for their information and necessary action. The matter has also been referred to the departmental officials of the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions, with food business operators, shopkeepers, distributors and manufacturers directed to comply with the order.
The decision has been taken amid concerns over the health risks associated with consuming tobacco and nicotine-containing products. Regular use of gutkha and tobacco-containing pan masala can increase the risk of oral cancer, gum diseases and other serious health problems. Nicotine is also highly addictive, making repeated consumption a particular concern among younger users. By restricting the manufacture and sale of such products, the state government aims to reduce their availability and discourage consumption, with the effectiveness of the ban depending on its implementation by food safety officials and enforcement agencies responsible for monitoring compliance and taking action against violations.
