After Maharashtra banned sale of Gutka and Pan Masala in the state, now its turn of Jharkhand government which on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 banned manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of ‘gutka’ (tobacco-laced areca nut pieces) in the state. This ban will be effective in the state from Tuesday, July 24, 2012.

Several states in India have already banned manufacture and sale of both gutka and pan masala. These includes likes of Maharashtra, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Bihar.

This decision was taken by Chief Minister Arjun Munda after a cabinet meeting.

“Cancer cases are on the rise and of the total cancer cases, 25 percent are related to mouth cancer. The state cabinet has agreed to ban manufacturing, storage, distribution and sale of tobacco and nicotine based gutka and pan masala,” said Jharkhand Cabinet Secretary NN Pandey told reporters here after the cabinet meeting.

Several states in India have already banned manufacture and sale of both gutka and pan masala. These includes likes of Maharashtra, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Bihar.