Karnataka Imposes Statewide Ban On Hookah Bars To Protect Public Health (image-pixaby)
On February 7, the Karnataka Health department announced a statewide ban on the sale, consumption and promotion of hookah products in a move to address public health risks and safety violations. The ban comes in the backdrop of a fire mishap at a hookah bar in Koramangala last year, due to non-compliance with fire and safety regulations.
“The hookah bar is a cause of state fire hazards and violates state fire control and fire safety laws. Consumption of hookah in hotels, bars and restaurants makes food items unsafe for public consumption and may adversely affect public health,” the Karnataka government stated. “In general, the sale, consumption, and advertising of hookah products known as hookah tobacco or nicotine-containing nicotine-free tobacco-free, flavored, unflavored hookah molasses, shisha and other similar names and the producing, procuring, trading of the same has been banned with immediate effect in the interest of public health in the state.”
Violators will be booked under Cigarette and Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, Child Care and Protection Act 2015, Food Safety and Quality Act 2006, Karnataka Poisons (Possession and Sale) Rules 2015, Indian Penal Code and Fire Control and Fire Protection Act.
The state health emphasized that the consumption of hookah spreads infectious diseases including herpes, tuberculosis and Covid-19 through the mouth. The government also cited studies highlighting that 45 minute of hookah smoking is equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes. The government also cited a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), hookah is an addictive substance containing increased amounts of nicotine or tobacco and molasses or flavoring substances such as chemical carbon monoxide, which can be hazardous to health.
The home minister G Parmeshwara had previously announced in the winter session of Karnataka Assembly last year that the state would establish a law regulating hookah bars in the state.
Over 100 cases have been filed against hookah bars in the last four years, indicating a rise from 18 cases in 2020 to 25, 38 and 25 in the following years. With this ban, the state government will be able to reduce the rising numbers of hookah bars.
Maharashtra, Gujarat and Punjab have already imposed statewide bans on hookah.
