Chew on this: Delhi set to ban gutkha

Chewable tobacco products such as gutkha and khaini may soon be banned in Delhi.

Chewable tobacco products such as gutkha and khaini may soon be banned in Delhi.

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On Wednesday, the Delhi government informed the Delhi high court that it was considering a ban on sale and manufacture of all such products, during a hearing of a PIL (public interest litigation) on the issue.

“The Delhi government is actively considering the ban and a formal announcement will be made soon,” standing counsel Najmi Waziri told the bench.

According to a report by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 10.5% adults in Delhi have smokeless tobacco in the form of gutkha, khaini or zarda. According to the Voluntary Health Association of India, 3,000 chemical ingredients are used in smokeless tobacco products.

Eight states have already imposed such a ban.