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GutkhaGutkha (also spelled guttkha and guthka) is a preparation of crushed betel nut, tobacco, and sweet or savory flavorings. Sold across India in small, individual-size packets that cost between 1 and 4 rupees apiece, it is consumed much like chewing tobacco. The gutkha, a powdery, granular white substance, is placed between the bottom lip and the gum, or under the tongue. Within moments, the gutkha begins to dissolve and turn deep red in color. It imparts upon its user a "buzz" somewhat more intense than that of tobacco. Highly addictive and a known carcinogen, gutkha is currently the subject of much controversy in India. Many states have sought to curb its immense popularity by taxing sales of gutkha heavily or by banning it outright. Due to its often sweet taste, easy availability and cheapness, it is popular with poor children, who can exhibit precancerous lesions at a very early age as a result. Gutkha also has negative effects on the environment. After it is consumed, it is generally spat onto a wall or the ground, causing an unsightly red stain that is quite resistant to the elements. Some building owners have taken to combating this unpleasantness by painting murals of gods on their walls, with the idea that gutkha-chewers would not spit on a god.
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