This story is from February 19, 2020

1.75 crore chew tobacco in Bihar: Minister

Health minister Mangal Pandey on Tuesday said around 10 crore people use smokeless tobacco (chew tobacco) across the country. Of these, 1.75 crore are from Bihar alone.
1.75 crore chew tobacco in Bihar: Minister
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PATNA: Health minister Mangal Pandey on Tuesday said around 10 crore people use smokeless tobacco (chew tobacco) across the country. Of these, 1.75 crore are from Bihar alone.
Speaking at a national consultation on ‘Effective Implementation of Measures for Control of Smokeless Tobacco Use in India’ jointly organised by the health department and the National Institute of Cancer Prevention And Research (NICPR) here on Tuesday, Pandey pointed out that the government had taken several measures in the last few years to control the production and distribution of tobacco products in the state.

“In May 2012, Bihar became the third state to ban gutka and pan masala (with tobacco and nicotine). In September 2016, the state banned the sale of gutka in twin packs and in October 2018, we put a ban on use of food or food additives as ingredients in chewing tobacco,” Pandey said while talking about the measures taken by the state health department to curb the distribution of tobacco products.
The minister added, “Last year, the health department banned the manufacture, storage, transportation and sale of 15 brands of pan masala after toxic chemicals (magnesium carbonate and nicotine) were found in them by the National Tobacco Testing Laboratories and National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. We have to work together to control smokeless tobacco use in Bihar.”
The minister released the fact sheet of the state – ‘Smokeless Tobacco Control: Bihar Experience’ on the occasion.
Principal secretary (health) Sanjay Kumar claimed that all pan masalas came from other states as their production was banned in Bihar. “Use of smokeless tobacco has become a major concern for the nation, especially the developing states,” he said.
Deepak Mishra, executive director of the Socio Economic and Educational Development Society, and Shalini Singh, directress of NICPR were also present at the event.
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About the Author
Faryal Rumi

She is working with the Times of India as a Senior Digital Content Creator on the Patna desk.

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