Bhubaneswar, Jan. 23 -- In a groundbreaking move to protect public health, the Government of Odisha has officially banned the manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, or sale of all food products containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients in the state. This includes items such as gutkha, pan masala, flavoured or scented food products or chewable food products.

The decision comes in line with directives from the Supreme Court and follows growing concerns about the harmful effects of tobacco use.

As part of the notification by the Health & Family Welfare department, Government of Odisha, all products containing tobacco and/or nicotine, whether packaged or unpackaged, sold individually or in a manner ...