Himachal Pradesh bans all tobacco-based products

Shimla: A complete ban on the sale, storage, manufacture and distribution of tobacco-based products, gutka (tobacco-laced areca nut pieces) and pan masala came into force in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, an official said.[caption id="attachment_476594" align="alignleft" width="380"] Reuters[/caption]The ban had been imposed on 13 July but the government deferred it after a few days.From now onwards cigarettes, bidis, gutka (tobacco-laced areca nut pieces) and pan masala will be considered as banned substances in Himachal Pradesh.Anyone who will use, sale, store, manufacture and distribute tobacco-based products will invite action under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act,2006.A government official said the decision to put off the ban till Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2) was taken by chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal following an appeal by retailers who wanted exhaust their stocks.The hill state has already banned smoking in public places and its capital Shimla has been declared a "smoke-free" town.Agencies