Your favorite hookah bar in Delhi might lose its license
Delhi has banned hookah bars in the national capital effective immediately. Licenses of establishments serving hookahs will be revoked. Health Minister Satyender Jain said the order is in accordance with Section 4 of the Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act. "According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a one-hour hookah session comprises 200 puffs compared to 30 puffs of a cigarette," Jain said.
Hookahs have more harmful effects than people think
The CDC notes that despite widespread contrary beliefs, smoking hookah is "at least as toxic as smoking cigarettes". The smoke has been associated with numerous ailments like lung cancer, respiratory illness, low birth weight and periodontal disease. In India, the practice was traditionally observed among elders in rural areas, but it has fast become a trend among urban youths.
The Centre had effectively banned hookahs six months ago
In May, the Health Ministry effectively prohibited hookahs in restaurants and hotels by ruling "no other service" including food can be served in smoking areas. In October, the NGT asked the Centre and Delhi about action being taken against such establishments. BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa had filed a petition on the matter seeking a ban on the city's hookah bars.
But violations have continued till now
Despite the amendment, many establishments in the capital have continued serving hookahs, Jain noted. Restaurants also claimed they were using herbal products, but nicotine was found "in significant amount in almost all samples (picked)". The government said it is "unfortunate" that hookahs had become a "status symbol even in family functions". It has now written to police and civic bodies to take immediate action.
