Paan masala and gotka sale

The success of an Act/Rule depends on its strict enforcement by the enforcing agencies. The Food Safety Department of Assam by a notification on November 22, 2019, banned the manufacture, distribution, storage, sale, transportation and display of Paan Masala and Gotka which contain tobacco and nicotine. Unfortunately, the notification failed miserably due to non-enforcement. The said notification was highly praised by the Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum (CLPF), New Delhi and Consumers VOICE, Assam including the Director Dr. Amal Candra Kotoki as it has significance in view of increased tobacco consumption in Assam (48 per cent) which is the single major important risk factor for cancer. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), the use of tobacco decreased in India from 34.6 per cent to 28.6 per cent but it increased in Assam from 39.3 per cent to 48.2 per cent in last five years. Considering the survey reports the ban notification was very timely. But despite the ban order, the trade of Paan masala and Gutka is continuing unabated throughout Assam. The enforcement agencies like the police and the Food Safety Department are found sitting idle. The said notification now appears to be an eyewash only as no meaningful exercise has yet been taken to stop the free trade and even to close the manufacturing units. If the notification is not enforced strictly, the state will face serious consequences of health hazards due to increasing consumption of tobacco.

Pradip Ranjan Kar,

(Can be reached at pradip.kar@cms.com)