For a year, the Karnataka government has banned the production, storage, distribution, transportation, and sale of pan masala, gutkha, and other goods containing nicotine or tobacco throughout the state. On June 15, 2026, the Commissioner of Food Safety, Karnataka, issued the notification in accordance with Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 and Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Gutkha and pan masala that contain tobacco and/or nicotine are prohibited, as are any additional goods sold separately that have nicotine or tobacco in the finished product, regardless of the brand name.
Both packaged and unpackaged goods are prohibited. It also includes goods that are packaged individually but are delivered or sold in a way that makes it simple for customers to combine them.
Gutkha and pan masala that contain tobacco or nicotine that are packaged in sachets, pouches, packages, containers, or sold under any other name are particularly covered by the notification.
According to the Food Safety Commissioner, the ban was put in place for the sake of public health and would be in effect throughout Karnataka for a year after it was announced.
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