Punjab govt to impose permanent ban on hookah bars
What's the story
Punjab government on Monday imposed a permanent ban on hookah bars in the state instead of issuing temporary orders against them every two months. The state cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, approved an amendment to the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 for the prevention and control of diseases caused by the use of tobacco products.
The amendment
Proposed amendment to be presented before Vidhan Sabha
The proposed amendment would be presented before the Vidhan Sabha, and if passed by the House, would be reserved for the assent of the President of India, he added. Under the present scheme of things, Section 144 of CrPC is promulgated against the hookah bars across the country for two months, which requires an extension at the end of the period.
Ban
A complete ban on running of hookah bars in Punjab
Captain Amarinder said the amendment would result in a complete ban on running of hookah bars in the state. The extension orders are issued every two months by the district administration. As per available data, an hour's average of hookah smoking contains 20-200 puffs, which can deliver 50 liters of smoke, containing harmful and carcinogenic chemicals, an official said.