Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore (AF)
Mangalore, Oct 21: Government should not impose complete ban on gutka, the All-India Areca Grower's Association has said in a press release here.
A total ban on gutka would adversely affect areca growers. Stating that the ban was a result of a lobby against pan, the release said that in spite of ban on tobacco advertisements people still smoke.
Areca in itself is not harmful to health. It is only when tobacco is used while manufacturing gutka that it becomes an addiction and harms health. On the contrary, areca when consumed with betel leaves and lime is good for health, the release said.
The areca growers will be the worse hit by the ban. It might even lead people to go for unprocessed tobacco which would cause more harm, the release stated.