Despite a comprehensive ban on selling, manufacturing and advertising of all tobacco products across the State, some betel shop owners are still selling gutkhas in their shops openly here and elsewhere in Gajapati district.
While the whole world is going to observe the World No Tobacco Day-2013 on Friday, the State Government has failed to ban sale of tobacco completely, alleged locals. “Thousands of people are suffering from various diseases by consuming tobacco every year. Following the prohibition order of the State Government, the district administration conducted raids on betel shops only for first few days,” said a local.
A district administration official on the condition of anonymity said that due to lack of coordination between the district administration and the Health Department the raids could not be continued. The official even alleged that the health officials did not destroy the seized tobacco items. On the other hand, locals demand regular raids on betel shops.