Bhubaneswar: In a major public health decision, the Odisha government has imposed a complete ban on all tobacco and nicotine-containing products across the state. The ban covers manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of such products.
The decision was notified by the Health and Family Welfare Department on January 21, 2026, superseding the earlier 2013 notification on gutkha.
According to the government notification, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have classified chewing tobacco products such as gutkha, zarda, khaini and flavoured tobacco as cancer-causing substances. These products are strongly linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas and kidneys, and also cause severe oral health disorders and addiction.
The state government cited alarming data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), which shows that over 42% of Odisha’s adult population consumes smokeless tobacco, nearly double the national average.
Earlier, despite the gutkha ban in 2013, manufacturers had allegedly bypassed the restrictions by selling pan masala and flavoured tobacco in separate sachets, allowing consumers to mix them easily. The Supreme Court, in a 2016 ruling, had directed all states to strictly enforce the ban and prevent such practices.
Following the Supreme Court’s directions and the Food Safety and Standards Act, the Odisha government has now extended the prohibition to all forms of food products containing tobacco or nicotine, whether packaged or unpackaged, flavoured, scented, or sold separately in a way that facilitates mixing.
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The ban applies to products sold under any name or form, including gutkha, pan masala, scented chewables and other similar items.
Health officials said the move aims to protect public health, especially children and young adults, from the harmful effects of tobacco addiction.
The new notification replaces the earlier order issued on January 3, 2013, and enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure strict compliance across the state.
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