The Centre on Friday urged states to ban the consumption of smokeless tobacco, as part of its measures to contain covid-19.
Chewing tobacco products, paan masala and areca nut increases the production of saliva followed by a very strong urge to spit, said a report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the health department. “Spitting in public places could enhance the spread of the coronavirus," the tobacco control unit of the ministry said in a letter to states. “Preventive measures may be taken to prohibit the use and spitting of chewing smokeless tobacco products in public." States and Union territories have the authority under the Epidemic Diseases Act,1897, the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and various provisions of
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