The ban on the sale of gutkha, pan masala and other chewing tobacco-based products in Uttarakhand came into effect from Tuesday.

“This is a comprehensive ban on the sale, stocking and production of gutkha and all other tobacco chewing products in Uttarakhand,” a top government official said. Most of the shopkeepers and vendors in Dehradun city, said they were not selling gutkha or any other tobbaco-based products anymore. Health Minister Surinder Singh Negi said the government would strictly enforce the ban on the sale of gutkha and similar products in the state.