Gujarat Cabinet approves ordinance to ban hookah bars

Gandhinagar: The government of Gujarat has approved ordinance to ban Hookah Bars across the state.The decision was taken in State cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani today.

Minister of State for Home, Shri Pradipsinh Jadeja in his briefing told media persons in capital Gandhinagar:

– From today onward, no one will be able to operate hookah bar in Gujarat.

– There’s year 2003 law by Central govt in which the Govt of Gujarat has made amendment and included hookah bars.

– On breach of this law, police will take action. Minimum 1 year and maximum 3 years sentence has been prescribed. Provision of Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 fine is also mentioned in this amendment. It will be cognizable offense.

– Government was concerned about the fact that tobacco mixed flavors were used and youths were trapped into addiction. Youths have no revenue source. It has come to notice that they take money on interest. They start visiting hookah bars regularly. They fall in trap of debt and interest and turn to anti-social activities. It was a matter of concern for government. Therefore Chief Minister took this decision.

– The government learnt that a visitor takes 100 to 200 time more smoke compared to cigarette in hookah bar. While cigarette smoking involves 20 puff, hookah smoking involves 200 puff. Carbon monoxide and other elements caused by hookah are harmful. In one hour session of hookah, 90,000 mm smoke is generated against 500-600 mm smoke generated by cigarette. American Cancer Society research has found carcinogenic elements.

-Recently in 14 kg gold theft case, a young boy was arrested. He was regular visitor to hookah bar. Table was booked for him from morning to evening at a cost of Rs 7000 to Rs 8000. He was in debt therefore and he planned theft. The government is concerned about health and doesn’t want to allow youths to get diverted to crime.

– Ahmedabad police has shut down 78 hookah bars already.

Background:

It should be noted here that Gujarat Police had earlier forced shut down hookah bars across the state over the issue of license. However when challenged by hookah bar owners, the Supreme Court had cleared path for reopening of hookah bars, following which number of hookah bars had started mushrooming in Ahmedabad and other cities.

Recently in one of loot cases, a young boy studying in Bachelor course in Ahmedabad college was held as accused along with his sister. He told police that his hookah bar visits and cricket betting habits ultimately led him to the path of crime. Menace of hookah bars once again was in news following this incident. In another incident, complaints were received by police pertaining to loud noise disturbance and nicotine use by hookah bars in Sindhu Bhawan/S.G.Highway pocket of Ahmedabad. Several hookah bars in this pocket were raided by police following such complains and forced to shut down.

The ordinance passed today by the State cabinet will give ample power to police to ensure that no hookah bar is able to operate further.

DeshGujarat