Karnataka Bans Hookah Bars, Sale Of Cigarettes To Those Below 21
The Karnataka Assembly has passed a bill that bans hookah bars in any bar and restaurant, and other public places in the state.
The bill also prohibits the use of tobacco products in public places.
Age limit for sale of cigarettes
According to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2024, the age limit for the sale of cigarettes will be 21.
The new bill, passed on Wednesday also bans the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products near educational institutions.
Can't use tobacco products in public places
The bill that prohibits the use of tobacco products in public places, says no person shall use tobacco products in any public place, and "use" means and includes smoking and spitting of tobacco.
The exceptions are in a hotel having 30 rooms or a restaurant with a seating capacity of 30 persons or more, and in airports, where, the bill says, a separate provision for a smoking area or space may be made.?
No more hookah bars in Karnataka
As far as hookah bars are concerned, the bill states that "No person shall either on his own or on behalf of any other person open or run any hookah bar in any place, including the eating house or pub or bar or restaurant by whatever name it is called."
It defines a hookah bar as "an establishment or place where people gather to smoke tobacco from a communal hookah or narghile, which is provided individually."
Why hookahs are banned
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao who introduced the bill said that today's youth consider the hookah a "fashion statement or fashionable", and added that "It not only affects those consuming it, but also people around -- passive smokers."?
"Considering that smoking cigarettes is harmful to health, it is already prohibited in public places. In the case of hookah, tobacco and nicotine are used along with other substances like narcotics, and to prohibit it this amendment has been brought," the minister said.
Punishment for violators??
Punishment for running hookah bars has newly been introduced in the bill, he said, adding that violators of section 4A will be imprisoned for a term between one and three years, and be fined an amount between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
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