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CAMPCO Urges Protection of Arecanut Farmers Amid Karnataka’s Tobacco and Nicotine Ban

By Editor

Posted on August 13, 2026

CAMPCO Urges Protection of Arecanut Farmers Amid Karnataka's Tobacco and Nicotine Ban

Mangaluru : The President of the Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Limited (CAMPCO), Sri.S.R.Satishchandra, has taken note of the Government of Karnataka’s Notification dated 10.08.2026 and the Press Note issued by the Office of the Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, Karnataka, dated 12.08.2026, concerning prohibition of products containing tobacco and nicotine in the State.

The Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has stated that, in the interest of public health, stringent enforcement measures are being undertaken against products containing tobacco and nicotine. The action includes special inspections against the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of gutkha, pan masala and other prohibited products containing tobacco and/or nicotine.

The Department has further stated that the Government Notification has been issued under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, read with Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, prohibiting the sale and distribution of products containing tobacco and nicotine in Karnataka in the interest of public health. The notification is stated to remain in force throughout the State for a period of one year from the date of issuance.

CAMPCO respects the Government’s objective of protecting public health and recognises the need for effective enforcement against prohibited tobacco and nicotine-containing products. At the same time, CAMPCO urges the Government and the concerned authorities to ensure that the implementation of the notification does not adversely affect the interests of arecanut growers and the legitimate trade in arecanut.

Speaking on the issue, Sri S.R. Satishchandra, President, CAMPCO, said:

“Arecanut is an important plantation crop and a major source of livelihood for a large number of farmers in Karnataka and other parts of the country. CAMPCO respects the Government’s public-health objective and the action being taken against tobacco and nicotine-containing products. However, there must be a clear distinction between arecanut as an agricultural commodity and products containing tobacco and nicotine. The enforcement of the notification should remain focused on the prohibited products and should not result in unintended consequences for arecanut growers or the legitimate arecanut trade.”

The President further stated that arecanut growers should not be made to bear the consequences arising from the use or misuse of their agricultural produce in tobacco- or nicotine-containing products.

The significant economic contribution of the arecanut sector to Karnataka is also reflected in the data placed before Parliament. In reply to Question raised by Sri B.Y. Raghavendra, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, the Hon’ble Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Sri Pankaj Chaudhary, stated that Karnataka recorded the highest State-wise GST collection from the sale of arecanut and arecanut-based products among the States and the statement furnished by the Ministry of Finance shows, Karnataka’s GST collection stood at ₹172.62 crore in FY 2021-22, ₹266.82 crore in FY 2022-23, ₹326.57 crore in FY 2023-24, ₹313.16 crore in FY 2024-25 and ₹379.34 crore in FY 2025-26. Further, Karnataka recorded ₹90.02 crore during Q1 of FY 2026-27

These figures underline the substantial economic significance of arecanut and arecanut-based trade in Karnataka and reinforce the need to ensure that enforcement measures directed against tobacco and nicotine-containing products do not adversely affect the legitimate arecanut trade or the livelihood of arecanut growers.

The interests of farmers engaged in the cultivation and legitimate marketing of arecanut need to be duly protected while implementing public-health measures.

CAMPCO therefore urges the Government and enforcement authorities to ensure that the implementation of the prohibition is confined to products covered by the notification and does not result in any indirect restriction on arecanut as an agricultural commodity or its legitimate cultivation, procurement, processing and trade.

CAMPCO also appeals for a clear and unambiguous enforcement framework so that legitimate businesses and arecanut farmers are not subjected to unnecessary difficulties or confusion during implementation of the Government’s notification.