The ban on gutkha seems to have prompted gutkha addicts to look for alternatives.
“Gutkha addicts too suffer from withdrawal symptoms like alcoholics, which should be addressed with rehabilitation and counselling,” opined Dr Girish, a physician.
Many former gutkha addicts have switched to other tobacco products like ‘hans’, ‘madhu’ and other products, said sources.
An average pan shop owner who would sell 25 sachets a day now, sells more than 40 sachets of products which substitute gutkha.
“Tobacco products that substitute gutkha are selling like hot cakes, as it is cheaper than gutkha,” informed Imran, a traditional beedi maker.
Only seven people, out of 100 gutkha chewers, have switched to ‘zarda’ pan beeda as it is expensive, he added.
The gutkha consumers look for a suitable replacement which would intoxicate them, and they go for more potent pan beedas such as ‘theen sou’ and ‘chetan’ among others, said another beeda maker.
“It’s an art to mix the tobacco with lime which would give a kick to the consumers. I have learnt the art of making ‘kattha’ by paying Rs 4,000 to an expert in Bangalore,” said Ramesh, another shop owner on BH Road.
Meanwhile, gutkha has entered the black market after the ban.
A Rs 2 sachet is selling for Rs 5 in the black market.
Dr Padmanabh, a physician, said that ‘hans’ and other forms of cheaper tobacco are also as hazardous or maybe more hazardous than gutkha, as they may contain more toxins.