Puttur, 13 August 2026: Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Co-operative Limited (CAMPCO) has urged the Karnataka government to ensure that enforcement of the State's prohibition on tobacco- and nicotine-containing products does not indirectly affect arecanut growers and the legitimate arecanut trade.
CAMPCO president S.R. Satishchandra said the cooperative respects the government's concerns over public health but requested that enforcement remain confined to the products specifically covered by the government notification.
CAMPCO issued the statement on Wednesday after taking note of the government notification issued on Monday and the subsequent press release from the Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration regarding the prohibition of certain tobacco- and nicotine-containing products.
The government has announced stringent enforcement measures against products such as gutkha, pan masala and other prohibited products containing tobacco and/or nicotine. The measures cover their manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale.
Also Read| Karnataka Bans Gutkha, Tobacco and Nicotine Products for One Year
Protect Legitimate Arecanut Trade
Satishchandra said the implementation of the prohibition should not result in any indirect restriction on arecanut as an agricultural commodity.
CAMPCO specifically urged the government to ensure that legitimate activities involving arecanut, including Cultivation, Procurement, Processing, Trading are not affected by enforcement against prohibited tobacco and nicotine products.
The cooperative said clear implementation of the notification is important to ensure that the government's public health measures do not unintentionally affect farmers and businesses dependent on the legitimate arecanut trade.
CAMPCO Respects Public Health Concerns
CAMPCO said it recognises and respects the government's concerns regarding public health and the action being taken against prohibited tobacco and nicotine products. At the same time, it stressed the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between products prohibited under the notification and arecanut as a legally traded agricultural commodity.
The cooperative's statement comes at a time when the State has begun special inspection and enforcement operations against prohibited tobacco and nicotine products.
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CAMPCO, arecanut growers, arecanut trade, Karnataka tobacco ban, nicotine ban, S.R. Satishchandra, Puttur News, Puttur Suddi, Citizen News Puttur