The Centre has directed Meghalaya and two other states in the North East region to impose ban on all forms of processed/flavoured smokeless tobacco to save people from oral cancer, an official said on Wednesday.
‘Please pass necessary notification under Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to implement the ban on all forms of processed/flavoured/scented chewing tobacco,’ Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said in a letter to chief minister Mukul Sangma recently, the official said.
Similar instructions were also issued to the chief ministers of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh.
Seeking to report to the Ministry after passing the order in this regard, Vardhan said this is to ensure safe and wholesome food to people which was also endorsed by the Allahabad High Court that tobacco is food.
‘Please pass necessary notification under Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to implement the ban on all forms of processed/flavoured/scented chewing tobacco,’ Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said in a letter to chief minister Mukul Sangma recently, the official said.
Similar instructions were also issued to the chief ministers of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh.
Seeking to report to the Ministry after passing the order in this regard, Vardhan said this is to ensure safe and wholesome food to people which was also endorsed by the Allahabad High Court that tobacco is food.