Politicians from areca growing areas oppose ban on sale of gutka, pan masala

Politicians from areca-growing regions have opposed Karnataka's ban on gutka, pan masala, and other tobacco or nicotine-containing products, arguing that it would harm areca growers. Tirthahalli MLA and former Minister Araga Jnanendra, president of the Federation of Arecanut Marketing Cooperative Societies, stated that gutka contains areca and therefore a ban on gutka and pan masala would negatively impact areca growers.

He claimed that areca is cultivated in over 145 taluks of the state, with around 10 lakh families involved in its cultivation. The government's order has led to a ₹2,000 decrease in areca's price per quintal in the market. Jnanendra admitted he would not oppose the ban on gutka if an alternative use for areca was found. He led a delegation of elected representatives to Chief Minister D.K.

Shivakumar, urging him to lift the ban. Former Minister D.N. Jeevaraj also criticized the ban, noting that the Union government's ban on areca-containing gutka sachet marketing in 2011 negatively affected the price of areca. Ramesh Hegde, president of the Shivamogga District Arecanut Growers' Association, emphasized that the ban is not new, as 23 states and five union territories have already banned similar products.

He questioned why the government does not ban cigarettes containing 100% tobacco if it is determined to ban gutka with 6% to 7% tobacco content.