Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has defended the state's one-year ban on the sale of gutkha, paan masala and tobacco products, saying the restrictions are reviewed annually and are intended to curb the harmful effects of addictive substances.

Speaking in Dehradun, Dhami said the review process had reinforced the need to continue efforts to restrict these products. He also highlighted the importance of protecting young people from addiction and its potential consequences for the country's future.

Dhami Explains Annual Review of Ban

Dhami said the restrictions are reviewed every year before a decision is made on continuing them.

He stated that the outcome of the review supported the need to stop the sale of the prohibited products, adding that the adverse effects of addictive substances were widely recognised.

The Chief Minister said the state government was working to curb their availability as part of its broader efforts to address addiction-related concerns.

Youth Protection a Key Priority

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stated resolve to prevent the younger generation from falling into addiction, Dhami said substance use could have a negative impact on the nation's future.

He stressed that protecting young people from addiction was important for the country's long-term development.

According to Dhami, the Uttarakhand government was pursuing this effort at multiple levels.

State Government Reaffirms Commitment

Describing Uttarakhand as the “land of the gods”, Dhami reiterated the state government's commitment to continuing measures aimed at restricting addictive products.

The Chief Minister's remarks came in the context of the state's one-year prohibition on the sale of gutkha, paan masala and tobacco products.

The ban's continuation is subject to the applicable review process and official orders issued by the state authorities.