KARNATAKA BANS GUTAKA AND PAN MASALA

As of June 29, 2026, CM D.K. Shivakumar issued a strong warning and the state has started action:

What’s happening

Ban threat: The Karnataka government warned it will ban the sale of all types of gutka, pan masala, and chewing tobacco products containing tobacco or nicotine for 1 year if intoxicating substances are found mixed in them.

Reason: The CM said he has information that some manufacturers are mixing intoxicating/narcotic substances into pan masala, gutka, and areca nut products to give a "drug-like high".

Current action: A statewide lab testing drive has started. Food Safety officials are collecting samples from shops for scientific analysis. If banned ingredients are confirmed, a 1-year ban is likely. 

Key statements from CM

"If this is true and is not stopped immediately, the sale of all kinds of pan masala and gutka products will be banned in Karnataka"

He said the govt may lose ~Rs 100 crore in revenue, but won’t allow narcotics sold in the guise of food products

Goal: "Drug-free Karnataka" 

Background

Karnataka already banned use of smokeless tobacco products like gutka, khaini in public places under COTPA amendments in 2024

Many other states already have gutka bans under Food Safety regulations that prohibit tobacco/nicotine in food products 

What happens next

The ban for 1 year will depend on lab test results. Officials are checking if products contain prohibited intoxicants. 

This is part of the larger Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan / Drug-Free India campaign.