Ban on manufacture, storage and selling and distribution of Pan Masala, gutka and chewing tobacco order

GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

ABSTRACT

Public Health and Preventive medicine – Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954 – Ban on manufacture, storage and selling and distribution of Pan Masala, gutka and chewing tobacco orders issued.

HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE(AB2)DEPARTMENT

 

G.O.(Ms.)No.301                                                           Dated:7.11.2001

                                                                                      Read:

From the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Lr.Ref.No.R.No.193688/PFA/S1/99, DT 20.8.2001.

ORDER:

            Pan masala containing tobacco was introduced in Indian market during the 1970s.  Research and studies on pan masala/gutka reveal that it is likely to be carcinogenic.  When combined with tobacco, it not only leads to cancer but damages other organs of the body as well.  The haemodynamic effects of pan masala intake reveals an acute increase in pulse and blood pressure in healthy volunteers.  In a study published in the National Medical Journal of India, it is said that symptoms of oral cancer were seen even within 2-3 years of starting the habit of using pan masala/gutka. Chromosomal damages were found in those chewing pan masala even without tobacco.  Chewing tobacco is a known cause of cancer of oral cavities, pharynx and oesophagus.  It is also suspected to have a role in causation of coronary artery disease.  Oral sub-mucous fibrosis is a non-reversible condition with progressive restriction in opening of the mouth.  Study of the effect of  individual constituents of pan masala containing tobacco and their likely effect in its combination also suggests the carcinogenicity of this mixture.  The information on alkalinity of saliva after use of pan masala and release of higher quantity of arecholine with roasted arecanut(the form of arecanut in pan masala) as compared to boiled or soaked arecanut, further reveals higher toxicity of pan masala containing tobacco as compared to traditional betel liquid with tobacco.  Thus there is sufficient evidence that pan masala/gutka containing tobacco is carcinogenic to human beings.

2.Chewing of pan masala/gutka/chewing tobacco as such or as an ingredient in any food item should be prohibited as chewing of these articles, is definitely injurious to health.  It is further ascertained that about one third of all cancer admissions to the Madras Government General Hospital, were of cancer of the cheek associated with chewing tobacco.  Calecha a major ingredient of pan masala has a potential to cause cancer .  Nearly one third of all cancers that occur in the country are attributable to tobacco use.  It is possible that the widespread use of tobacco chewing habit is responsible for the high incidence of cancers of the oral cavity in India.  Other observational studies also demonstrate that the habit of using  gutka/pan masala by school students and other adolescents are on the increase.  Many of them appear to become addicted to this habit.  Which is very harmful to them.  All these studies necessitate the banning of the sale of chewing tobacco, pan masala and gutka containing tobacco in any form or any other ingredients injurious to health under whatever name or description it is sold in the State in the interest of public health and accordingly it is decided it is sold in the State in the interest of public health and accordingly it is decided to ban the sale of chewing tobacco, pan massage and gutka in the State in the interest of public health under section 7(iv) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954(Central Act 37 of 1954).

3.The appended Notification will be published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.

(BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR)

                                                                                   SYED MUNIR HODA

SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

To

The Director of Public Health & Preventive

Medicine, Chennai-6.

The Works Manager, Government.Press, Chennai-79.

(to publish in the TNGG Extra-ordinary)

All I leads of the Departments.

All Collectors

All Municipal/Corporations Commissioners.

All  Block Development Officers of all Panchayat Unions.

The Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Health

And Family Welfare, New Delhi

All Departments of Secretariat

Sf/sc

/Forwarded by Order/

SECTION OFFICER.

NOTIFICATION

            In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (iv) of section 7 of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (Central Act 37 of 1954), The Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, who is the Food(Health) Authority of Tamil Nadu State, hereby directs that no person shall himself if or by any person on his behalf, manufacture for sale or store, sell or distribute,

i)                  chewing tobacco,

ii)               pan masala,

iii)            gutka.

Containing tobacco in any form or any other ingredients injurious to health, under whatever name or description it is sold in the State of Tamil Nadu, in the interest of public health, for a period of five years with effect on and from the 19^th November 2001.

                                                            P. KRISHNAMURTHY,

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

                AND STATE FOOD (HEALTH) AUTHORITY