Tamil Nadu: State Health Department To Seal Gutka, Paan Shops

The Tamil Nadu health department will take stern action against 'gutka' and 'paan' sellers which are banned in the state.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian today said (July 23) in a press release that the government will seal the shops selling the banned items in the state.

Subramanian iterated that the department will first serve the notice to the shops selling gutka or paan upon receiving a complaint and even after the notice is sent if they are found selling the items, then fines would be levied.

The shops involved in selling gutka and paan items despite fines are levied would be shut down, he added.

According to the Minister, the state government will act strictly against the erring official and action will be taken against those officials who fail to conduct an inspection of these shops and fend off the sale of the banned products.

As per Subramanian, if ten shops in a district are shut in this manner, the gutka and paan menace in the state will come to an end immediately. It is said that the Chief Minister has already directed the ministers in charge of the districts to be vigilant against such shops and instructed them to take prompt action by alerting the district officials.

The health minister added that the district-level officials who take efforts to make their district free from banned tobacco items will be awarded a letter of appreciation and a prize from the Chief Minister MK Stalin.

According to the reports, the health department to conduct an awareness programme against tobacco consumption in schools in collaboration with the state education board as well as CBSE & ICSE boards.

The department is also mulling over to produce short videos with popular actors and sportspeople speaking against tobacco to create awareness among children on the health hazards of tobacco products consumption like gutka and paan.