Mangaluru: Campco has urged state govt to ensure that enforcement of its prohibition on products containing tobacco and nicotine does not adversely affect arecanut growers or legitimate arecanut traders.Reacting to the state govt’s Aug 10 notification and a press note issued by the commissioner of food safety and drug administration department on Wednesday, Campco president SR Satishchandra said the cooperative supported measures aimed at protecting public health.Food safety and drug administration department has announced stringent enforcement measures, including special inspections targeting the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of gutkha, pan masala and other prohibited products containing tobacco or nicotine.The prohibition was imposed under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, read with Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. It will remain in force across Karnataka for one year from the date of notification.“However, enforcement agencies must clearly distinguish between arecanut as an agricultural commodity and prohibited products containing tobacco or nicotine,” Satishchandra said.“Arecanut is an important plantation crop and a major source of livelihood for a large number of farmers in Karnataka and other parts of the country. Enforcement should remain focused on prohibited products and must not have unintended consequences for growers or the legitimate arecanut trade,” Satishchandra said.He added that farmers should not be made to bear the consequences of their produce being used or misused in products containing tobacco or nicotine.Citing data presented in Parliament, Campco said Karnataka recorded the highest GST collection from the sale of arecanut and arecanut-based products among states. The collection increased from Rs 172.6 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 379.3 crore in 2025-26. The state also collected Rs 90 crore during the first quarter of 2026-27.Campco sought a clear and unambiguous enforcement framework to prevent confusion and unnecessary difficulties for farmers and legitimate businesses. It appealed to the govt to ensure that the prohibition does not indirectly restrict the cultivation, procurement, processing or trade of arecanut.