The Odisha State Health Department on Thursday announced a ban on the manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of gutkha, pan masala and all products containing tobacco.
The Health and Family Welfare Department has issued a notification explicitly banning the manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of gutkha and any product containing tobacco or nicotine.
While Odisha had already prohibited the sale of tobacco products in 2013, the revised order seeks to eliminate earlier ambiguities and ensure the enforcement across the state is consistent.
Health Secretary Aswathy S said in the notification that the Supreme Court has directed health secretaries of all states to ensure full compliance with the nationwide ban on the manufacture and sale of gutkha and pan masala, reported The New Indian Express.
The ban covers both packaged and unpackaged products, including items sold separately but intended for mixing which is a common method previously used to evade restrictions.
It also extends to all chewable food products, flavoured or unflavoured, scented or mixed with additives, and applies to items sold under any name or form, including gutkha, pan masala and other similar products.
Meanwhile, the central government has notified Feb 1 as the date from which additional excise duty will be levied on tobacco products, and a new cess on pan masala.
More GST To Be Levied
From Feb 1, pan masala, cigarettes, tobacco and similar products will attract a GST rate of 40%, while beedis will attract 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST), according to a government notification. On top of this, a Health and National Security Cess will be levied on pan masala, while tobacco and related products will attract additional excise duty, news agency PTI reported.
The Finance Ministry on Wednesday also notified the Chewing Tobacco, Jarda Scented Tobacco and Gutkha Packing Machines (Capacity Determination and Collection of Duty) Rules, 2026. It should be noted that the current GST compensation cess, which is currently levied at varied rates, will cease to exist effective Feb 1.
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