The use of Gutka, flavoured tobacco and paan masala is quite common these days. Even people are addicted to these supari stuff.

But, now, selling Gutka and paan masala will be considered a punishable offence under sections 324 and 328 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), leading to even a 10-year jail term for manufacturers and vendors.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), selling banned gutka, paan masala, flavoured tobacco and supari will be made a punishable offence under sections 324 and 328 of the IPC.

According to FDA officers, application of the IPC will ensure that those flouting laws are not let off easily.

“Till last year, the offenders were booked only for violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act. This year, we will also book them under the relevant sections of the IPC, which could attract imprisonment,” said joint commissioner, FDA.

“We want to send out a message that selling of any of the banned products could land the offenders in jail for even up to 10 years too,” he said.

However, the new directive also bans the sale of scented tobacco and supari products.

Earlier in 2020, the FDA had seized gutka worth Rs4 crore from the state and filed 40 FIRs at various police stations.