Gujarat has officially banned the sale, storage, distribution, and advertisement of rolling papers and pre-rolled cones, often referred to as "Gogo paper," across the state, effective immediately. The Gujarat Home Department issued the order on Tuesday, citing concerns about rising substance abuse among young people. The ban extends to all paan shops, tea stalls, retail grocery stores, and other outlets throughout Gujarat.
The government's decision, enacted under Sections 163(2) and 163(3) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), aims to curb the increasing use of these products for consuming intoxicating substances, including marijuana and other narcotics. Authorities have expressed concerns that the easy availability of rolling papers contributes to the spread of addiction among youth.
According to the Home Department's notification, rolling papers and smoking cones often contain harmful substances such as titanium dioxide, potassium nitrate, artificial dyes, calcium carbonate, and chlorine bleach, posing significant health risks. These substances are considered extremely harmful to human health, prompting the government to take decisive action to protect its citizens.
Violators of the ban will face legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with disobedience to government orders. This section provides for punishment of up to one year for those who defy the ban.
In recent weeks, law enforcement agencies in Gujarat have been cracking down on the sale of "Gogo paper" and other items associated with substance abuse. The Ahmedabad Special Operations Group (SOG), in coordination with the Food Department, has been conducting inspections at paan parlors across the city to check for prohibited substances. Several establishments have been sealed for violating food safety regulations and selling banned materials. Similarly, Surat police raided establishments in the Citylight area, seizing hookahs, weed crushers, and "Gogo paper".
The ban has also extended to online platforms. A warehouse in the Citylight area of Surat, allegedly linked to the online platform Blinkit, was searched for illegally supplying "Gogo paper". Authorities have warned that they will be conducting search operations on warehouses of online platforms selling "Gogo paper," including Amazon and Flipkart.
The Gujarat government's decision to ban rolling papers and pre-rolled cones reflects its commitment to preventing substance abuse among young people and safeguarding public health. By cracking down on the sale and distribution of these products, the state hopes to curb addiction and protect its youth from the harmful effects of drug use.
