Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, Nov 11: Health and family welfare minister U T Khadar has said that his department has put forth a proposal to the government requesting a ban on chewing tobacco.

Khadar said that the decision in this regard will be taken at the cabinet meeting. Khadar was addressing the first batch of students of the bachelor of homeopathic medicine and surgery course at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Bengaluru.

Meanwhile the minister said that the ban on chewing tobacco and gutka will not affect the areca nut growers. He was speaking after meeting a Campco delegation which met him with a proposal not to ban areca nut products. Khadar said that areca products without tobacco will not be banned.

Campco president Konkodi Padmanabha led the delegation with managing director of Campco Suresh Bhandary and Dakshina Kannada co- operative federation president Harish Achar.

The delegation explained to the minister about the fresh tobacco chewing with pan leaves which is a tradition in Karnataka and thousands of people are dependent on areca and pan leaves for their livelihood.

Minister said the ban on chewing tobacco products should not worry the areca growers at all.