Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Minister U.T. Khader speaking to presspersons at Nehru Maidan during the Independence Day celebrations in Mangaluru on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH
The one-year ban on the sale of pan masala and gutka mixed with tobacco or nicotine was imposed in public interest and will not affect arecanut growers, said Dakshina Kannada district In-charge Minister U.T. Khader in Mangaluru on Saturday.Talking to reporters, Mr. Khader said the ban does not apply to pan masala and gutka sold without tobacco or nicotine. He said similar action was taken during his earlier stint as Health Minister in 2014, after which the price of arecanut increased. Any impact on arecanut prices due to the present ban can be assessed only after three months, he added.Asked about the statement by B.Y. Raghavendra, Shivamogga MP, that the ban on gutka was brought in under pressure from the cigarette industry, Mr. Khader said he would not politicise decisions taken in public interest. There is also a public opinion that those demanding the withdrawal of the ban are farmers supplying arecanut to industries bringing out harmful sachets containing pan masala mixed with tobacco or nicotine, he said. Published - August 15, 2026 07:48 pm IST
