We also found that knowledge about the ban was high among both the consumers and vendors in Kerala, with 95.7% of consumers and 100% of vendors being aware of it. However, in West Bengal, only 64% of consumers and 62.2% of vendors knew about the ban.

Interestingly, we found that gutkha was still available in 68% of the shops in West Bengal, while in Kerala, no sale of gutkha was reported in shops.

However, half of the vendors we interviewed in Kerala admitted to selling gutkha in the black market.

Overall, we found that the ban had little impact on the sale of gutkha in the open market in West Bengal, while it had a moderate impact in Kerala. However, the black market sales in Kerala are a matter of concern, and we believe that strict legislative measures are essential to cut the supply route for effective implementation of the ban.

This study, published in the Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, sheds light on the effectiveness of the gutkha ban in two Indian states and highlights the need for more stringent measures to curb the sale and consumption of tobacco products. As responsible citizens, we should all do our part in spreading awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and advocating for a healthier society.