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 19th November 2001.
P. KRISHNAMURTHY,
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH
AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
AND STATE FOOD (HEALTH)
AUTHORITY
