Surprise Checks to Ensure Tobacco Ban in Delhi

Health teams would fan out in Delhi to conduct surprise checks for ensuring strict implementation of the ban on all forms of chewable tobacco — including gutka, khaini and zarda, which came into effect on March 30, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said. The health teams will be accompanied by Delhi Police personnel while conducting the raids, Jain said. "Gutka (betel nut and raw tobacco), tobacco, paan masala are items which are harmful for health. The ban has been implemented from Monday. The teams have been told to be active in this regard. They will keep a strict vigil," said Jain.

The ban notification prohibits manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of tobacco which is either flavoured, scented or mixed with any additive.

Health officials, however, said that "no such ban will be enforced on cigarettes". The officials said there was a Delhi government notification in September 2012 which was in pursuance of a series of Supreme Court directions to ban gutka in the city. But since the ban mentioned the term gutka, the tobacco retailers had started selling the components of gutka in separate pouches.

So the purpose of banning gutka was not served, health officials told IANS. Therefore, the health department came up with a new proposal to ban all raw chewable tobacco products in Delhi, a senior official said.

Source-IANS