Citing public health and safety reasons, the Karnataka government has announced that it has put a ban on hookah bars across the entire State. The decision was made by the health department.
If you are found violating the ban you shall be charged under varied sections of the Indian Penal Code. A few of them include, COTPA (Cigarette and Tobacco Products Act ) 2003, Child Care and Protection Act 2015, Food Safety and Quality Act 2006, Karnataka Poisons (Possession and Sale) Rules 2015.
The ban includes prohibiting both the sale of non-tobacco and tobacco hookah and its ingredients. No form of advertising or promotional business is allowed.
The health department reportedly stated that hookahs are used in closed spaces and are shared with many individuals. Diseases such as herpes, hepatitis are spread because of the same. They also stated that a 30–45-minute hookah session is equal to consuming 20-40 cigarettes. Now that's scary.
The State government wants to be mindful of the health the citizens of Karnataka and reduce health hazards tied up with hookah consumption. It is interesting to note that hookah is already banned in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab and now Karnataka joins the league.
Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had also taken to X to write about the decisive action of banning hookahs in Karnataka.
Earlier, even the Haryana government had put a ban on hookah, which was being served to customers in bars, hotels across the State.
What are your views about the hookah ban in Karnataka? The World Health Organization report has identified hookah as an addictive substance, however.