Gutka, related products to be banned in Delhi

New Delhi Sep 10 (IANS) Buying gutka (chewing tobacco) in the capital may soon become a thing of the past as the Delhi government has decided to enforce a complete ban on it and other related products in the city.

"The ban would include manufacture, sale, display, transportation and storage," a Delhi government official said Monday.

Earlier Aug 22, hearing a petition on banning the sale of tobacco, the Delhi High Court had asked the government to take a decision on the matter in two weeks.

The plea was filed by a registered society - Doctors for You.

"After issuing a notification, manufacturing, sale and other activities with respect to gutka and other related products would be banned. The violation of this would attract strict action," the official added.

The prevention of food adulteration department has been authorised to collect samples and register cases against traders and manufacturers violating the ban.

"Delhi government feels that the ban had become necessary to overcome health hazards and has taken the decision without bothering about huge loss (in terms of taxes) after enforcing ban on such products," the official said.