Assam Government Extends Ban On Gutka, Pan Masala for 1 Year More

The Health and Family Welfare Department of Assam has extended the prohibition order against the manufacture, storage, transportation, display, distribution and/or sale of gutka, pan masala or any chewing materials etc., containing tobacco and/or nicotine as ingredients for one more year.

The ban has been extended under Regulation 2.3.4. of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 read with Section 26 of the Food Safety and Standards Acts, 2006.

After continuous demand from Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum of Assam, the Commissioner of Food Safety, Assam issued a notification on 22nd November, 2019 and imposed prohibition on the manufacture, storage, transportation, display, distribution or sale of Gutka, Pan Masala or any chewing materials etc. containing tobacco and/or nicotine.

On November 11, 2020, a delegation from the Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, led by its secretary, Advocate Ajoy Hazarika met Commissioner & Secretary of Health & Family Welfare Department Monalisa Goswami, who is in the charge of Commissioner of Food Safety, Assam and submitted a memorandum demanding to extend the previous prohibition order for a period of one year more which had expired on November 22, 2020.