In Ranchi, Jharkhand, the state health department's ban on gutka and paan masala products containing tobacco and nicotine, imposed on May 4 for one year, is being widely ignored. Despite the prohibition, paan shops continue to sell these products openly, raising concerns about enforcement. Ajoy Kumar Singh, the additional chief secretary of the health department, issued the ban under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, citing public health interests. However, a survey of local shops revealed that many vendors are still selling gutka and paan masala, often hiding the products until customers specifically ask for them. Residents have criticized the government's lack of effective monitoring, arguing that the ban appears to be a routine measure without real impact. In response to the situation, food safety officers have conducted raids in wholesale shops in Upper Bazar, seizing samples for testing. The results from the national food testing laboratory in Kolkata are expected within a month, as officials promise to penalize any violations of the ban.