The decision was taken by the state cabinet yesterday and FDA minister Manohar Naik made the statement on behalf of the government in the lower house today. A caveat would be filed by the state to guard against petitioners seeking a stay on the cabinet decision, he said.
He said the ban would come into effect from the day the notification is issued.
He said Maharashtra is the first state to ban gutkha and pan masala while Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Kerala have banned only gutkha. The ban will be for a year as per Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction On Sale) Regulation 2011 and it would be extended.
The minister said due to the presence of magnesium carbonate in gutkha and pan masala, incidence of oral cancer was on the rise. The decision to ban gutka and pan masala has been taken in the interest of the health of the people, especially youth, he said.