Odisha bans all tobacco products, including beedi, cigarettes, gutka, and more.

The Odisha government has imposed a comprehensive ban on all tobacco and nicotine-containing products across the state, effective immediately as per a notification issued on January 21, 2026.

Key details from the official notification (No. 2065) by the Health and Family Welfare Department:

• The ban prohibits the manufacture, processing, preparation, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, trade, and sale of:
  • Gutkha
  • Pan masala
  • Zarda
  • Khaini
  • Beedi and cigarettes (as part of broader tobacco products)
  • Any other food products or items containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients (including chewable, flavored, scented, or mixed variants, whether packaged or unpackaged)

This strengthened measure supersedes the earlier 2013 ban (which primarily focused on sales of certain tobacco products) and closes loopholes for better uniform enforcement statewide.

The decision complies with:

• Directions from the Honourable Supreme Court of India
• Guidelines from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
• Provisions under Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

The government highlighted that tobacco and nicotine products pose severe health risks, including cancer and other deadly diseases, with particular concern for children, youth, and public health. The move aims to build a healthier, tobacco-free Odisha.

Citizens are urged to comply with the new rules and support the initiative. Violations will attract penalties as per the relevant laws.

This is a significant public health step, though note that some social media claims (e.g., explicitly listing “beedi, cigarettes” alongside gutka) may overstate the scope—official sources emphasize all tobacco/nicotine-containing products, with a focus on chewable/smokeless forms like gutkha, but the broad wording covers smoking forms as well where they contain tobacco/nicotine.

For the full official notification, refer to the Odisha Health & Family Welfare Department website or government portals.