The ban is a response to directives from the Supreme Court of India and guidelines from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). It aims to curb the high prevalence of smokeless tobacco use in the state, which is currently nearly double the national average.
Scope of the Ban
The prohibition is absolute and covers the following activities for tobacco/nicotine products:
- Manufacturing and Processing
- Packaging and Storage
- Transportation and Distribution
- Sale (both retail and wholesale)
Banned Product List
The regulation applies to all products containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients, regardless of whether they are sold under a specific brand name or in loose form:8
- Chewable Tobacco: Gutkha, Pan Masala, Zarda, Khaini, and Gudakhu.
- Smoking Tobacco: Beedis and Cigarettes.
- Flavoured Products: Any food product that is flavoured, scented, or combined with additives containing nicotine.
- Combined Kits: Products sold in separate packets but intended to be mixed by the consumer (a common tactic previously used to bypass bans).
Legal and Health Rationale
The state government cited the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, specifically Section 2.3.4, which prohibits the use of tobacco and nicotine as ingredients in any food products.
“Several products containing tobacco and nicotine are widely available and hazardous to public health.These are classified as cancer-causing by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.” — Odisha Health Department Notification, Jan 2026
Health Risks Cited
| Condition | Linked Tobacco/Nicotine Products |
| Oral Cancer | Gutkha, Khaini, Zarda |
| Throat/Esophagus Cancer | Pan Masala, Chewing Tobacco |
| Pancreatic/Kidney Issues | Nicotine-based additives |
| Oral Health Impairment | All chewable forms |
Enforcement and Penalties
The government has eliminated previous legal ambiguities to ensure that police and food safety officers can conduct uniform raids across all districts. Violators will face strict legal action under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.
The state has made a public appeal to citizens, especially the youth, to comply with the new rules to help build a “Tobacco-Free Odisha.”
