Dimapur, June 30 (EMN): Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dimapur, has informed all the tobacco and panmasala dealers (wholesale or retail) in Dimapur district to immediately stop distribution and sale of gutkha or panmasala containing tobacco or nicotine.
CMO Dimapur, Dr. K Vikato Kinimi has issued this notification in compliance with the Supreme Court order dated September 23, 2016, which was forwarded by the Food Safety Commissioner, Government of Nagaland May 16, 2017.
The notification prohibited distribution and sale of Gutkha or Panmasala (containing tobacco or nicotine) and any other products marketed separately having nicotine or tobacco in the final products by whatever name called whether packaged or unpackaged or sold as one product or through packaged as separate products sold or distributed in such a manner so as to easily facilitate mixing by the consumers.
It further cautioned that non-compliance of the notification will be an offence punishable under section 59 of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
