West Bengal extends ban on gutkha, pan masala till November 2025

The West Bengal government has extended its ban on the manufacture, storage, sale, and distribution of gutkha and pan masala products containing tobacco or nicotine for another year, effective November 7.

The state’s Health Department issued a notice on October 24, citing public health concerns as the reason behind the prohibition.

According to the notice, “The Commissioner of Food Safety of



the State is empowered under Section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to prohibit in the interest of public health, the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of any article of food in the whole of State, for a period of one year”.

This decision by the state health department aligns with the various provisions of the 2011 Food Safety and Standards Regulations, which restrict the sale of harmful substances.