Bihar Govt considering ban on ‘ Khaini’

Speed Post News Network

Patna : Bihar Government is actively considering imposing a ban on ‘Khaini’ (unprocessed tobacco). The state govrnment, in a communication to Union Health Ministry, has sought its intervention to facilitate enforcing a ban on khaini.

Bihar government had enforced complete Prohibition in the state  on April 5, 2016, while Pan masala and Gutkha are already banned in the state. Every fifth person in the state is said to be addicted to Khaini, said a senior State Health Department official.

The state government has requested Union health ministry to direct the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to include khaini in the list of food products. According to  FSSAI guidelines, all food products containing tobacco and nicotine can be banned.

Consumption of tobacco leads to a number of diseases including mouth cancer and ailments affecting the lungs and the cardio-vascular system, according to experts.