Will a ban against gutka be effective?

Many Mumbaikars feel a ban may not serve the purpose, people want the government to create more awareness about the habit.

Create awareness about the bad habit
The ban will make an impact since more civic officials, corporators and state government bureaucrats are becoming aware of the harmful effects of such products. However we don't know how long the ban will be in effect, since gutka companies definitely are not in favour of the ban. Therefore, the authorities must ensure that the products are not readily available.
—Savio Almeida

Ban will drive trade underground
I don't think the ban is going to be implemented. It will remain on paper and we'll still see numerous gutka packets being sold clandestinely. To make people stop chewing tobacco, authorities need to create awareness about it rather than make rules. I don't want to be cynical but how many of us really follow such rules? Therefore, to make citizens healthy, we need awareness about demerits and merits of hazardous items.
—Vikram Choudhary

The ban will only remain on paper
Banning gutka completely is a very tough task. It's like any other vice in our society, so it will be tough to remove it. Also, I don't think even if it is banned, the proscription will be effective. Don't we see people still smoking in public places? So if the authorities want it to be implemented, then we need strict rules and fines otherwise it will just remain on paper.
—Mahima Sahni

Increase the price of the items
Ban on cigarettes in public places was quite effective. Corporate groups have managed to follow it seriously, I hope the ban on gutka will also be taken in the same spirit. But it is going to be a challenge since the number of people having gutka is quite high in the city. The government really needs to take strict action against gutka addicts or increase the price. If the price is very high, a limited number of people can afford to buy it.
—Santosh Prabhu

Very difficult to ban tobacco products
In a country like India, it will be very difficult to ban tobacco products since it has now become an addiction and previous attempts to ban it have also gone in vain. I feel that eradicating it will be almost impossible, so the focus should be on to curbing the usage. The government must try to convey that it is not just good for our health, it gives the streets a shabby look.
—Ankit Kandoi