The government of the south Indian state of Kerala has imposed a blanket ban on the manufacturing and sale of tobacco-based products such as gutka and pan masala in the state.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the government has imposed a ban on gutka and pan masala under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Regulation Act, 2011. He was spaking a t press conference to announce the ban.

"Violators of the law can be imprisoned for up to six years and a fine of Rs500,000 will be imposed on them. I have come across several oral cancer patients and in person realized the pain and trauma that they and their family members undergo. Though our state has advanced centres and experts for cancer care, use of gutka and pan masala is inviting unwarranted sufferings," Chandy said.

The government moved to ban the production and sale of tobacco-based products after increasing number of cases of diseases form use of tobacco were reported in the state. The Commissioner of Food Safety, Kerala has issued an order on 22 May that bans manufacture, storage, distribution and sales of these products that contain tobacco and nicotine in whatever form it is available in the market.