Karnataka imposes one-year ban on sale and distribution of tobacco, nicotine productsKarnataka has prohibited the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of gutkha, pan masala and other products containing tobacco or nicotine for one year. Under the notification, the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco and/or nicotine have been prohibited across Karnataka. The Food Safety Division is conducting special inspection and enforcement operations across the state under the leadership of Food Safety Officers to check the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of prohibited tobacco and nicotine products. The action has been initiated under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, read with Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The department said stringent enforcement measures would be undertaken to prevent the circulation of products prohibited under the notification.