Karnataka bans sale and distribution of tobacco, nicotine products

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Aug 12, 2026: The Karnataka government has prohibited the sale and distribution of products containing tobacco and/or nicotine across the State as part of measures to protect public health.

The Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration issued a notification on August 10, stating that the ban will remain in force for one year from the date of issuance.

The notification was issued under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, Commissioner Srinivas K of the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration said in a statement.

Officials said the Food Safety Division of the Health and Family Welfare Department is carrying out stringent enforcement measures against products containing tobacco and/or nicotine.

Special inspection and enforcement drives are being conducted under the leadership of Food Safety Officers to curb the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of gutkha, pan masala and other prohibited tobacco- and nicotine-containing products.

The department has appealed to the public to inform the concerned authorities about the manufacture, sale or distribution of prohibited tobacco and nicotine products and urged people to cooperate in building a healthy and addiction-free Karnataka.