Haryana government's ban on manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of gutka and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine from August 15 is being considered as a good move by many.
While pan vendors, who used to earn their livelihood are running into losses and people, who became habitual of chewing pan masala are either quitting or opting for beetle nuts and other mouth fresheners to get their daily dose.
Struggle to survive
Since the violation of the orders is punishable, the pan vendors are afraid of selling gutka or cigarettes. Ram Vilas, a pan vendor in Civil Line, the only earning person in a big family of seven members said, "I used to earn Rs.500 to Rs.700 daily by selling gutka and cigarettes. Since the order came into force, I am suffering massive losses. In lieu of gutka, I am selling tea and rusks to run my family."
A large number of pan vendors had come up in Old Gurgaon, Sadar Bazar, Civil Line, Railway Road, Sukhrali, etc.
"I am not selling any gutka since the order was passed. There are still some vendors who are selling gutkas on higher rates from Rs 5 to Rs 10," said Shyam Babu, owner of Shyam Pan Bhandar, Sector 15.
The teams of district officials in the recent past raided some pan shops and seized thousands of gutka pouches but didn't take any legal action so far.
Wave of joy
What the family members of gutka-chewers could not do in past two decades, a recent move of the government has done. "We should thank the government. I can heave a sigh of relief that my husband will not be chewing gutka all the time. Sometimes, it is very irritating as it deteriorates health and is wastage of money. I kept asking him to leave this bad habit but he never did it. I hope at least, he will save Rs.30 to Rs.50 every day," chuckles Pushpa Soni, a resident of Sushant Lok I.
Haryana implements
Dr Rakesh Gupta, commissioner of food safety (Haryana), said "In most parts of Haryana, tobacco and nicotine have been widely used as ingredients in gutka and pan masala. To curb the consumption of gutka and pan masala in the interest of public health, the ban has been imposed for a period of one year."
It had become a trend among youth especially girls lighting cigarettes and chewing mouth fresheners of different brands. When asked different school students, college and office-goers, businessmen, etc, said, "We used to spend Rs 100 to Rs 150 on cigarettes and mouth fresheners. On an average, we took 10 to 12 cigarettes and 15 to 20 guktas daily."
Punishment
The violation of the ban is punishable under law with an imprisonment up to six months or fine up to Rs one lakh, which would be increased up to Rs three lakh and imprisonment of one year if the contravention is resulted into non-grievous injury.
Meanwhile, for severe injury, the punishment would be up to six years of jail and fine up to Rs five lakh and if any death occurs, the imprisonment can be extended up to seven years and fine up to Rs 10 lakh.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) also prohibits
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under Section 2, 3 and 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011 prohibits manufacturing and sale of food in which tobacco and nicotine are used as ingredients as they are injurious to health.
Experts' views
Dr Anubha Singh, gynaecologist and infertility specialist said, "Not only cancer but consuming tobacco in any form can lead to infertility, osteoporosis, bone fractures and skin diseases."
Survey says
• Global Adult Tobacco Survey: In Delhi NCR 10.5 per cent youngsters, 16.7 per cent men and 2.8 per cent women consume tobacco in form of gutka, khaini and cigarettes.
• At present, nearly 0.9 million tobacco-related deaths occur in India annually as compared to 5.5 million worldwide which is expected to increase to about 10 million during 2020.
• India is the second-largest producer and consumer of tobacco in the world after US and China.
"I can heave a sigh of relief that my husband will not be chewing gutka all the time. Sometimes, it is very irritating as it deteriorates health and is wastage of money. I kept asking him to leave this bad habit but he never did it. I hope at least, he will save `30 to `50 every day
Pushpa Soni, resident, Sushant Lok I"
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