West Bengal bans pan-masala, gutkha

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal government has banned gutkha and pan masala in the state. The state government has also issued a notification for the same. According to the notification, making, storing and selling all the things in which nicotine is found will be legally punishable. However, cigarette is not included in the notification. While this step taken by the West Bengal government has received appreciation, it is not the first state to come up with such law. Earlier, a few more Indian states have passed notification on a state-wide ban on sale or purchase of pan-masala and gutkha. Bihar, Rajasthan Maharashtra and Uttarakhand were the other states where the ban is already in force.