In a decisive move targeting public health and the fight against narcotics, the Gujarat government has imposed an immediate and comprehensive ban on the storage, distribution, and sale of tobacco rolling paper and pre-rolled cones, commonly known as 'gogo' cones.
Citing Health Hazards and Youth Menace
A notification issued by the State Home Department on Tuesday declared these items hazardous, listing poisonous elements found in them. The notification specifically mentioned the presence of titanium oxide, potassium nitrite, artificial dye, and calcium carbonate used as chlorine bleach, all deemed dangerous for human consumption.
The government's order directly links the easy availability of these products at local tea stalls, paan parlours, and general kirana stores to a worrying trend. "There has been a significant increase of drug abuse among the youth," the notification stated, justifying the prohibition as being in the interest of the people of Gujarat.
Legal Teeth and State-Wide Enforcement
The ban has been enacted under Sections 163(2) and 163(3) of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. This legal framework allows for immediate orders without prior notice and can target specific persons or locations. The prohibition applies to all physical outlets as well as retail e-commerce platforms selling these items.
Violators of the order will face action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which prescribes penalties for disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant.
Police Action and the Trigger for the Ban
The official notification followed intense groundwork by police forces in key cities. Just hours before the ban came into effect, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Surat City police conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations. These operations led to the seizure of suspicious packets of tobacco products, hookahs, and other paraphernalia used for weighing, crushing, and consuming narcotics.
A similar drive was executed in Vadodara, where police teams checked parlours and outlets involved in the sale of rolling paper. The crackdown, however, began two days prior, with the Surat police initiating a confidence-building drive with store owners to curb sales.
Explaining the critical link, Surat City Commissioner of Police Anupamsinh Gahlaut told The Indian Express that the issue came to light after confiscating a stash of hybrid ganja. "It was found that there is no way for consuming hybrid ganja without rolling paper and cones. These are also not used for any other purpose," he emphasized.
Gahlaut further highlighted the evolving challenge, noting the recent arrival of newer versions of cones and paper, along with pipes designed to make stuffing contraband easier. He hailed the Home Department's order as a major step that empowers the police to book those involved in the sale of such material.
This sweeping ban represents a significant escalation in Gujarat's efforts to dismantle the supply chain of materials facilitating drug consumption, particularly among the younger population, by targeting an easily accessible commodity sold in everyday neighbourhood shops.
