The Jharkhand government has joined the ranks of Maharashtra and Haryana by enacting a total ban on the sale, storage, and consumption of gutkha and pan masala within the state. This initiative aims to protect the youth from addiction and enhance public health. Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari announced that this decision marks a significant step towards achieving the 'Healthy Jharkhand' vision set by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Dr. Ansari expressed concern over the rapid spread of life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, attributed to the use of gutkha and pan masala, emphasizing the detrimental effects these substances have on the youth. As a medical professional, he underscored his commitment to safeguarding public health, stating, "When the public has made me the Health Minister, my first duty is to protect their lives."
Authorities to enforce ban rigorously
The government has issued a directive stating that any person found consuming, selling, or storing gutkha will face legal action. Authorities in the administration and health departments have been instructed to enforce this ban rigorously, with particular attention given to tackling gutkha mafias and illegal traders.
Dr. Ansari noted that this decision was driven by the concerns of the community, particularly mothers and sisters witnessing their loved ones succumb to addiction. He remarked, "This ban is not just a government order, but a true tribute to those families who lost their children due to diseases like cancer."
The Health Minister urged the citizens of Jharkhand to embrace this decision and collaborate in the effort to create a gutkha-free state, expressing hope that this initiative could inspire similar actions in other states.
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