The Federal Constitutional Court has dismissed a petition filed against the nationwide gutka ban, ruling that the restriction is fully aligned with public health protections. Officials say the court found no legal grounds to overturn the prohibition.
Petitioners had argued that the ban violated their commercial and personal freedoms. However, the court stated that safeguarding citizens from harmful substances takes priority over business interests.
Health experts welcomed the verdict, noting that gutka consumption has long been linked to severe oral cancers and other life-threatening illnesses. The ruling reinforces the government’s broader anti-tobacco and anti-smokeless nicotine policies.
Authorities stressed that the ban aims to reduce addiction among youth, who remain particularly vulnerable to cheap and accessible chewing products. Enforcement teams have been instructed to intensify market inspections.
Manufacturers and sellers found violating the ban now face stricter penalties, with officials promising zero tolerance for illicit production. The decision is expected to curb the underground trade as monitoring expands.
Civil society groups praised the judgment, calling it a strong step toward improving community health standards. The ruling also sets a precedent for future cases involving public health regulations.
Read more: Crackdown Launched Against Smoke-Emitting Vehicles
