Haryana has imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, distribution, storage and sale of tobacco products like gutka, pan masala, flavoured or scented tobacco, kharra and other similar products.Armed with orders from the Supreme Court vacating HC stay on its ban orders issued in September last year, the Health Department in Haryana has begun measures to stop the sale of tobacco products in the state.Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij today confirmed to The Tribune that orders had been issued to the department to stop the sale of tobacco products within a week in the state or action would be taken against officials responsible for the lapse.The Haryana government had banned the manufacture, distribution, storage and sale of tobacco products in September, 2015.These substances were banned due to the presence of nicotine which has been added by the state government in the list of poisonous substances.Other tobacco products containing tobacco available in the market were also included.However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on October 14, 2015 directed the Haryana government not to use coercive methods to implement its decision to ban the sale of tobacco products in the state.The government approached the Supreme Court, which vacated the HC stay and upheld the notification enforcing the ban, said Vij.
[“source-tribuneindia”]
