Some fellows here supported the ban on gutka in Jharkhand, suggesting Gujarat and particularly Surat should follow suit. However, they seemed unaware that Gujarat Govt under CM Modi had already prohibited the sale and distribution of gutka and pan masala since 2012.

The sale, storage and distribution of gutka and tobacco or nicotine-laced paan masala are banned in the state. The ban came into effect in 2012 under the Food Safety and Standards Act and rules and regulations formulated in 2011. Despite this prohibition, a thriving black market for these products continues to operate.