Delhi to ban storage and sale of tobacco products

All tobacco products including raw chewable gutka , khaini and zarda will soon disappear from the Capital with the State government’s Health Department all set to bring in a notification banning its storage, sale and purchase in the city.

Speaking to The Hindu on Wednesday Health Minister Satyendra Jain confirmed that the orders are to come in soon.

“The proposal has been finalised and notification will be issued soon. The fine prints have to be worked out but this is definitely coming to ensure that city dwellers stay tobacco-free and healthy. There was a Delhi government notification in September 2012 which was in pursuance of series of directions from the Supreme Court to ban gutka in the city,” he said.

According to officials, gutka is also being supplied to retailers in Delhi from neighbouring States of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

The last day of every month has been declared as a dry day for tobacco by the Delhi government.

“We aim to update the notification and remove ambiguities to ensure that biggest source of oral and lung cancer disappears and the city becomes a tobacco-free city,” said a senior official.

The last day of every month has been declared as a dry day for tobacco by the Delhi Government