Ban: Hookah Serving to be a Punishable Offense in Haryana

The bill provides a clear definition of a hookah bar as a commercial establishment where individuals gather to smoke tobacco from a hookah

The Health Master

February 25, 2024

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Last Updated on March 7, 2024 by The Health Master

Hookah

Hookah: In a significant move, Haryana’s Health Minister, Anil Vij, has proposed a groundbreaking amendment that could transform the social landscape of the state.

The “Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution), Haryana Amendment Bill, 2024” aims to make serving hookah in establishments providing food or refreshments a punishable offense.

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Understanding the Bill

1. The Legislative Shift

In a bold legislative step, the bill amends the principal act, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act of 2003, to specifically target the operation of hookah bars.

2. Legal Ramifications

According to the proposed amendment, opening or running a hookah bar or serving hookah in any place, including eating houses, could lead to imprisonment for a term not less than one year and may extend up to three years.

Additionally, a substantial fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh will be imposed.

3. Non-bailable and Cognizable Offenses

The bill classifies offenses related to hookah serving as non-bailable and cognizable, indicating the gravity with which the state views this matter.

4. Empowering Enforcement Authorities

The proposed legislation grants powers to police officers, officers of the Food and Drugs Administration, Haryana (FDA Haryana), and other authorized officials to seize materials or articles associated with hookah bars if contravention of the law is suspected.

FDA Haryana

Defining Hookah Bars

5. Commercial Establishment Criteria

The bill provides a clear definition of a hookah bar as a commercial establishment where individuals gather to smoke tobacco from a hookah or narghile, provided as a commercial service.

Notably, traditional hookahs are exempted from this definition.

6. Nicotine and Banned Substances

Highlighting health concerns, the bill emphasizes that hookah bars have been serving tobacco containing nicotine, posing significant risks to public health.

Moreover, the use of various flavors/herbs and the potential inclusion of banned substances raise serious alarms.

7. Water Pipe System and Charcoal Heating

Describing the mechanics, the bill outlines that hookahs involve a water pipe system and flavored sheesha heated with charcoal.

This insight into the process underlines the potential health hazards associated with hookah consumption.

Background and Rationale

8. Statement of Objects and Reasons

The bill’s preamble, presented by Anil Vij, cites the alarming prevalence of hookah bars in various districts of Haryana.

It underscores the health hazards associated with hookah consumption, including the use of banned drugs under the guise of flavors/herbs.

9. Misconceptions and Increased Usage

Due to misconceptions regarding the safety of hookah smoking and the availability of multiple flavors, its usage has seen a significant surge.

However, the bill stresses that the smoke from flavored hookahs contains various toxicants harmful not only to the smoker but also to passive smokers nearby.

10. Legislative Necessity

The statement of objects and reasons argues that the existing legislation does not explicitly address the smoking of hookahs.

Therefore, the introduction of the amendment is deemed necessary to protect the public from the health risks associated with hookah bars.

Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from the source mentioned below. Our team utilized an AI language model to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.