Gujarat has extended its ban on the production, storage and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine for the 14th consecutive year. Yet, the latest government data shows that tobacco consumption remains a major concern in the state.
According to NFHS 2023-24 data cited for Gujarat, 38.40% of men and 7% of women aged 15 years and above consume tobacco in some form. In simple terms, nearly 38 out of every 100 men in this age group are reported to use tobacco.
The figures raise an important question: despite a ban that has continued for more than a decade, why does tobacco consumption remain so widespread?
What Does the 38.4% Figure Actually Mean?
The 38.40% figure does not mean that 38.4% of Gujarat’s men consume gutkha.
The NFHS data covers tobacco use in different forms. This includes products such as cigarettes, bidis, khaini, mawa, chewing tobacco and gutkha, among others.
Similarly, the 7% figure for women represents tobacco consumption in various forms and does not specifically refer to gutkha or pan masala.
The data therefore points to overall tobacco consumption rather than the use of one particular product.
Ban Has Continued for 14 Years
The Gujarat government has prohibited the production, storage and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine.
The prohibition applies regardless of the name under which such products are sold.
However, the continued consumption of tobacco and the reported availability of such products have raised concerns about how effectively the ban is being enforced.
According to the figures cited, tobacco and pan masala products worth more than ₹3,000 crore are sold in Gujarat every year, despite the ban being in place for 14 years.
Government Points to Cancer Risk
The government’s notification has also highlighted the health risks associated with gutkha and tobacco-containing pan masala.
It cites research by institutions including Tata Memorial Hospital and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, stating that consumption of gutkha and pan masala can be carcinogenic and can significantly increase the risk of oral cancer.
The notification also refers to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, according to which around 35% of adults in India consume tobacco, while about 21% use smokeless tobacco.
The Ban Covers Tobacco and Nicotine
The prohibition is not limited to products sold under a particular brand or name. According to the notification, it covers gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine, irrespective of what they are called or how they are marketed.
This is intended to prevent tobacco-containing products from continuing to be sold simply by changing their names or presentation.
A Gap Between the Ban and Consumption
The latest figures show a clear gap between the existence of a long-standing prohibition and the continued prevalence of tobacco use.
While Gujarat has maintained restrictions on gutkha and tobacco- or nicotine-containing pan masala for 14 years, 38.4% of men and 7% of women aged 15 and above are still reported to consume tobacco in some form.
The data does not establish that all of this consumption comes from banned gutkha or pan masala. Instead, it highlights the wider challenge of tobacco use in the state.
The continued presence of tobacco consumption, along with the reported sale of tobacco and pan masala products worth more than ₹3,000 crore annually, puts the focus once again on enforcement and the availability of prohibited products.
For Gujarat, the challenge is therefore not only maintaining the ban, but also addressing the continued use of tobacco in its many forms.
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