TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: The State may have banned the sale of Gutkha since the last eight years, but gutkha products are still available in Ponda Taluka.
Goa had banned the sale and consumption of Gutkha in 2005 under the Public Health Act and following suit, recently several other states have also banned gutkha under Food and Safety Act.
However, despite the ban, sale of gutkha sachets continues unabated literally in almost every kiosk in the State.
According to information, a popular standard gutkha sachet has a printed price of Rs 10, but was recently sold for as high as Rs 100 for three sachets.
Kiosks owners have claimed that the price of these sachets fluctuates depending on the availability of the products.
The ban on guthka in several states has prompted gutkha manufacturers to adopt a different option, whereby two separate sachets containing gutkha and pan masala are sold to customers.
“There are two sachets available. One sachet contains only pan masala with zero percent nicotine and tobacco, while the other sachet contains gutkha. Both sachets have to be mixed and consumed,” said a vendor selling tobacco products in Ponda.
Dr Shekar Salkar, General Secretary of National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), has however, stated that the availability of gutkha sachets will now be difficult.
“The banned products were reportedly being brought from Karnataka, but now Karnataka has also banned the sale and consumption of gutkha,” said Dr Salkar.
“In comparison with other states, there is a decline in the consumption of tobacco in Goa. Tobacco is mostly consumed by the migrant population and over the years, awareness has helped eradicate the consumption of tobacco,” said Dr Salkar.
When contacted, Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Director Salim Veljee said action has been taken against various vendors found selling gutkha in the State.
“At least three cases have been already filed against the main Gutkha supplier, who is from Ponda. We have acted on complaints and even raided places, including the residence of the main gutkha dealer. Most often vendors are found selling small amount of sachets, the material is seized and the accused is released after giving a warning as we cannot impose fines,” informed Veljee.
