According to a report published by Gangwal, a chemical analysis of gutkha shows how its lethal potential. "The aromatic hydrocarbons in it can lead to impotency," he pointed out, "and the nicotine can lead to heart disorders and oral cancer."

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday Gangwal pointed out that the biggest threat from gutkha was the misinformation surrounding it. "With the spate of advertisements, gutkha has become more acceptable and a prestige-friendly product. It is more addictive than tobacco or alcohol and more dangerous."

Citing reports from Johns Hopkins Research Institute in Baltimore, USA, and the Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvanthapuram, he pointed out that some branded gutkhas had extremely high cancer indexes.

A cancer index is a quantification of the potency of a particular product to cause cancer. "Somegutkhas had a potency of 13.75, which is enough to ban the product in Europe and America," he pointed out.

According to Gangwal, studies conducted among Pune youths had shown that college youths had started taking up gutkha as it was considered a status symbol. "One patient who had oral scars indicating oral cancer asserted that she took gutkha and not tobacco. Such is the lack of awareness of the harmful effects of gutkha. With its chemical composition, gutkha is far more dangerous than tobacco."

With May 31 being celebrated as No Tobacco Day the world over, Gangwal hopes the trend catches on in India too.