Karnataka Bans Gutkha and Tobacco-Laced Pan Masala for One Year

# Karnataka Bans Gutkha and Tobacco-Laced Pan Masala for One Year ### Why in News? Karnataka imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture, storage, transport, distribution and sale of gutkha, pan masala and similar products containing tobacco or nicotine. ### What exactly has been banned? - The order targets food products such as gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine; it should not be read as a blanket ban on every tobacco product. - The restriction applies across the supply chain, from manufacture and storage to distribution and sale. - The measure has been issued as a public-health action under the food-safety framework. ### Exam Connect - **Food Safety** and **Standards Act**, **2006** → established **FSSAI** - **FSSAI** → **Ministry of Health & Family Welfare**