The Delhi state government plans to ban the sale of chewing-tobacco products. State health minister A K Walia said a high-level meeting would be held soon to chalk out the modalities of the ban.

"We realise the immense health implications of chewing tobacco. As a preventive measure we want to stop the sale of such products," Walia said on Wednesday.

About 40 per cent of all cases of cancers are said to be related to tobacco products. About 20 per cent are caused by chewing tobacco alone.

Walia’s proposal will have to be passed by the Assembly before it can become a law. "There may be many economic implications of imposing the ban. But considering the amount of suffering caused by the consumption of such products, we have to be firm," he said.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences cancer specialist Dr Tulika Seth said: "Oral cancers are very common in our country. A ban on chewing tobacco products will make a huge difference even if it is difficult to implement."