Gutka, Tobacco products banned in Himachal

Vishal Sharma, Shimla Correspondent

In an interaction with the mediapersons on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti in Shimla, Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal said “Ban on the consumption of gutka and other chewable tobacco products will come into effect all over the state from today onwards. Any shopkeeper found sellings such products would be liable to be booked under legal provisions for the strict implementation of the ban.”

Following the decision, Himachal joins the club of Haryana, Punjab and other Indian states which have already banned the manufacturing and sale of gutka and other chewable tobacco products. He said the decision has been taken in public welfare and he expects the citizens of the state would help the government  in enforcing the ban effectively.

He said that the ban on polythene bags was successful because of the immense support received from common man in this regard. He said that the polythene ban was so successful that his Haryana counterpart, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda asked him the secret behind the success of the ban. He told Mr. Hooda to make the residents of Haryana understand the hazardous effects of polythene on the environment and thus motivate them to sun polythene usage.