By Dr. Hitesh R Singhavi
Head & Neck Cancer Surgeon, Oral Oncology Specialist
Introduction: Is Gutka Really Gone?
If you’ve walked into a paan shop anywhere in Mumbai or its suburbs recently, chances are, you’ve heard a quiet whisper when someone asked, “Bhai, gutka milega kya?”
And surprisingly, the answer is often: Yes.
This may come as a shock to many—because gutka is banned in India. But the bigger question we must ask is: If it’s banned, why is it still being sold so easily?
As someone who sees the devastating effects of gutka every day in my cancer clinic, I wanted to share some insights from a recent study done right here in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which sheds light on the truth behind the gutka ban—and why it’s not working the way we hoped.
What Is Gutka and Why Was It Banned?
Gutka is a dangerous mix of tobacco, areca nut, lime, and flavoring agents. It’s addictive, and it’s one of the biggest causes of oral cancer in India—especially among the youth.
Recognizing this, many states in India banned gutka over a decade ago under the Food Safety and Standards Act, labeling it as a toxic, unsafe product.
But as this study reveals, banning gutka on paper and removing it from shops are two very different things.
The Ground Reality: Gutka Still Being Sold
Our team went undercover to paan shops across the MMR region—Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and beyond.
Here’s what we found:
- Every shop had some version of gutka available.
- Vendors were hesitant at first, but after some persistence, they offered one of three versions:
- Non-descript packets (no label, no brand, no mention of “gutka”)
- Twin packs – one sachet of pan masala and a separate sachet of tobacco (meant to be mixed together)
- “Export only” gutka – clearly labeled gutka packs meant for export, being sold illegally in India
No one openly displayed gutka. It was hidden, under the counter, or in the back. You had to know how to ask.
How Vendors Circumvent the Ban
The ban exists—but vendors and manufacturers have found ways around it:
- Packaging tricks: They sell gutka in plain wrappers or call it something else.
- Twin packs: Since pan masala isn’t banned, they sell it along with a separate tobacco sachet—essentially allowing the customer to mix their own gutka.
- Fake exports: Products marked “for export only” are manufactured legally, but illegally diverted to Indian markets.
What’s worse? These banned products are sold at higher prices, making the sellers more money.
Why This Is a Big Problem
Let me be direct: gutka kills.
It causes oral cancer, throat cancer, heart disease, gum damage, and a lifetime of suffering. Every year, over 1 lakh Indians die from oral cancers, and gutka is a major culprit.
This ban is not just a rule—it’s supposed to be a lifeline. But without proper enforcement, it becomes meaningless.
What Needs to Change
Based on what we saw, here are a few steps that can actually help India enforce the gutka ban:
✅ Close the legal loopholes
Stop the legal manufacturing of gutka for “exports” and ban the twin packaging of pan masala + tobacco.
✅ Mass media awareness
We need TV, radio, and social media campaigns to educate people: gutka is banned because it’s deadly.
✅ Use the power of social media
Apps like Instagram, X (Twitter), and WhatsApp can be used by citizens to report illegal sales anonymously.
✅ Reward whistleblowers
Offer incentives for people—especially youth and activists—who report shops violating the ban.
✅ Involve the community
Real change comes when people care. We need to make this fight against gutka a people’s movement.
Conclusion: The Fight Isn’t Over
As a cancer surgeon, I meet patients every week who are young, non-smokers—but addicted to gutka. Many of them never even knew how harmful it was until it was too late.
The gutka ban was a great first step. But it’s time we take the next steps—with stronger laws, smarter enforcement, and most importantly, citizen participation.
Let’s not let packaging tricks and legal loopholes undo the hard-fought progress of public health in India.
About the Author
Dr. Hitesh R Singhavi is a leading Head and Neck Cancer Surgeon and a passionate advocate for oral cancer prevention. He believes that curbing gutka use can save thousands of lives and is committed to educating the public on tobacco-related risks.