Mangaluru: Sale and consumption of chewable tobacco products banned in dist

Mangaluru: In an official release, the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, Sindhu B Rupesh and District Tobacco Control Coordination Committee has announced a ban on the sale and consumption of all chewable tobacco products such as pan masala, zarda, khaini and gutkha in the district.

The move comes in view of public health considerations as spitting of these chewable tobacco products causes the spread of viruses and other microbes.

The release further states that violation of this order will result in punishment under the Infectious Diseases Act 1897, Disaster Management Act 2005 and sections of the Indian Penal Code 188, 268, 269 and 270.