Areca belt politicians oppose Karnataka's gutka ban over grower impact

The Karnataka government's recent order prohibiting the sale of gutka, pan masala, and other products containing tobacco or nicotine has drawn opposition from elected representatives representing areca-growing regions. They argue that the ban will severely affect the livelihoods of areca farmers, who see the crop as a key ingredient in these products.

Tirthahalli MLA and former Minister Araga Jnanendra, who also serves as president of the Federation of Arecanut Marketing Cooperative Societies, said the ban directly impacts areca growers. "Areca is currently grown in over 145 taluks of the State, with nearly 10 lakh families engaged in its cultivation. Following the government order, the price of areca has fallen by ₹2,000 per quintal in the market. We want the government to come to the rescue of the growers; until an alternative use for areca is established, the growers need protection," he said.

Jnanendra, himself an areca grower, said he would not oppose the ban once an alternative use for areca is identified. He led a delegation of elected representatives from areca-growing regions, comprising members from various political parties, to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in Bengaluru, urging him to withdraw the notification.

Former Minister D.N. Jeevaraj, in a social media post, recalled that when the Union government banned the marketing of gutka in plastic sachets in 2011, areca prices fell as gutka companies reduced their purchases. "Similarly, with the current ban on the sale of gutka, prices will fall, affecting the growers. It is the responsibility of the government to safeguard the interests of the growers," he said.

The state-wide ban, issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, prohibits the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of any product containing tobacco or nicotine. Health experts and public health advocates have long campaigned for such measures, citing the severe health risks associated with gutka and pan masala, including oral cancer.

Ramesh Hegde, president of the Shivamogga District Arecanut Growers' Association and a Congress leader, said the ban was not new. "As many as 23 States and five Union Territories have already issued similar notifications banning gutka containing tobacco. It is not a new thing. The State government should consider the interests of areca growers before taking such decisions," he said.

Hegde also questioned the selective approach: "Why do governments keen on banning gutka containing 6% to 7% tobacco not ban cigarettes containing 100% tobacco?"

The impact on prices was immediate at the Shivamogga market. On Thursday, prices of the Hasa, Bette, and Rashi varieties of areca fell compared with Wednesday. The minimum price for Hasa stood at ₹50,509 per quintal on Thursday, down from ₹60,399 the previous day. Similarly, Bette fell from ₹55,009 to ₹50,014 per quintal, and Rashi from ₹47,199 to ₹45,589 per quintal.

The state government, however, has defended the ban as a public health measure, with officials saying it will be implemented strictly. The delegation's request for withdrawal is yet to receive a formal response. The issue highlights the delicate balance between public health policy and agricultural livelihoods. Areca cultivation supports nearly 10 lakh families in Karnataka, and any disruption to the market has significant economic consequences. At the same time, gutka and pan masala are linked to high rates of oral cancer in India, making their regulation a public health priority.

The state government has yet to announce any specific relief measures for areca growers affected by the ban. Meanwhile, grower associations have planned further meetings to discuss their options.