TOPIC

tobacco

Odisha imposes a statewide ban on gutkha and all tobacco and nicotine products

OpIndia Staff - 22 January, 2026

The Odisha government has announced a total statewide ban on all tobacco and nicotine products, including gutkha and pan masala. Replacing the 2013 rules, the new order strictly prohibits manufacturing, distribution, and sale to eliminate health risks and legal loopholes.

News Reports

India’s poorest households are consuming gutkha, other tobacco products at an alarming rate, spending more and more on it: Study reveals

Rukma Rathore - 21 January, 2026

The country is expanding its subsidised healthcare system while gutkha is being consumed at an alarming rate.

Economy and Finance

Prices of cigarettes and other tobacco products to rise as govt hikes taxes sharply, tobacco share prices fall

OpIndia Staff - 1 January, 2026

The prices of cigarettes and other tobacco products are set to rise sharply from next month as the Union government has decided to hike...

News Reports

Sansad Winter Session: Ahead of tobacco cess expiry, FM Nirmala Sitharaman to table Bill ensuring current high tax burden continues

OpIndia Staff - 1 December, 2025

As the GST compensation cess nears its end, the government plans a replacement mechanism through a new public health and national security cess, supported by amendments to the Central Excise Act to maintain revenue from tobacco products.

News Reports

Pune: Samosas stuffed with condoms, stones and tobacco supplied to Tata Motors canteen, Rahim Shaikh, Azhar Shaikh, Mazar Shaikh, Azar Shaikh and Vicky Shaikh...

OpIndia Staff - 9 April, 2024

Recently, a similar case was reported from Vadodara, Gujarat where beef was found in a samosa sample taken from a shop named 'Hussaini Samosawala' in Chipwad area

News Reports

Actor Allu Arjun turns down multi-crore liquor and tobacco advertisement deal for upcoming Pushpa sequel

OpIndia Staff - 16 December, 2023

Actor Allu Arjun has rejected a popular liquor and pan masala brand's lucrative advertisement deal.

News Reports

Akshay Kumar rubbishes reports that he has returned as brand ambassador for Vimal Pan masala, says these are previously shot ads

OpIndia Staff - 10 October, 2023

He noted that the TV commercial advertisements for the gutkha brand Vimal, which have recently been broadcast, were actually recorded on October 13th, two years ago. He emphasized that he publicly disassociated himself from the brand at that time and has had no involvement with it since.

World

Uganda citizen informs EAM Dr Jaishankar he is thankful to the Indian man who taught him how to eat khaini

OpIndia Staff - 16 April, 2023

Consuming tobacco with lime is the most common practice among tobacco consumers in India and easy to adopt than the other mixtures.

Entertainment

Actor Akshay Kumar ‘steps back’ after being made brand ambassador of popular gutkha brand, ads to stay

OpIndia Staff - 21 April, 2022

Earlier this month, it was reported that Akshay Kumar will join Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn in the 'Vimal Universe' after he became ambassador of the brand that also manufactures and sells gutkha.

Social Media