In the larger public interest, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today ordered to ban the manufacturing of “Guthka”, "Pan Masala", processed/flavored/scented chewing tobacco and any other food products containing tobacco or nicotine in the state with immediate effect. Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the state government had already issued a notification dated January 1, 2016 banning the storage, sale or distribution of "Gutkha", "Pan Masala", processed/flavored/scented chewing tobacco and any other food products containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients by whatever name these are called as final products available in the market and has been prohibited for one year in the whole of the State of Punjab. However, in view of public health, Mr. Badal has now asked the Health department to take immediate steps to ensure complete ban on the manufacturing of “Guthka”, "Pan Masala", processed/flavored/scented chewing tobacco and any other food products containing tobacco or nicotine in the state, in addition to the above said notification. The Chief Minister categorically directed the Health Department for strict compliance of these orders and added no laxity on the part of any erring officer/official in its implementation would be tolerated at any cost.