Delhi government cracks down on hookah bars

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Monday banned hookah bars in the city and asked the Delhi police and the municipal corporations to immediately cancel licenses of restaurants, which have hookah bars. 

Health minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday said that hookah smoking is not allowed in non-smoking zones as per Section 4 of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act, as well as in the smoking zones.

He said that the Centre had issued a notification in May with the ministry of health and family welfare completely prohibiting the use of the hookahs. 

“Therefore, hookah bars in any form are illegal and the Delhi police and the civic bodies should cancel the licenses of such restaurants, eateries and hotels where such illegal hookah bars are found operating,” Mr Jain said. 

He said that the State Tobacco Control Cell has conducted several raids in various parts of Delhi and the chemical analysis picked “has shown presence of nicotine in significant amount in almost all the samples”.

This is despite the claim that they were using herbal products. “In this regard, a series of letters have been written to the Delhi police and the civic bodies in the past four years to initiate action against these hookah bars and save the younger generation from harmful effects of tobacco. 

“However, action is still awaited and rules have been violated with impunity in many parts of Delhi,” he said.Hookah is a popular choice of smoking, especially with the elderly, in rural areas. But over the past few years, it has gained popularity among the urban youth. 

“People consider hookah a safe alternative to smoking without realising that it is more harmful and has an adverse impact on their health. As per centre for disease control and prevention, an hour-long hookah session comprises 200 puffs compared to 30 puffs of a cigarette,” Mr Jain said.