The decision was taken at the Standing Committee meeting on Thursday with a view to maintaining health standards of the general public and preventing youngsters from consuming gutka, pan masala and smoking. The final decision, yet to be taken by the General Board, will only be a formality.

The sale of these products has been also banned at garba sites; organisers will have to take permission to put up hoardings, banners and gates of all other products as well.

This the second year in succession that the VMC has banned such hoardings and banners. In 1996, the civic body had undertaken a major drive to bring down the advertisements as they did not contain the statutory warnings.