Imprisonment and fine for violating directions

The Haryana on Monday passed a bill imposing ban over hookah bars in the state by introducing provisions in a central law – The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products  which included Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution Act. Hookah bar, as per the amendment bill, is defined as a commercial establishment where people gather to smoke tobacco from a hookah or narghile which is provided individually as a commercial service but does not include a traditional hookah. The Haryana assembly passed a bill to prohibit hookah bars in the state imposing a strict ban on hookah bars by introducing provisions in a central law, said that violation of this Act will be liable for two years imprisonment for the first time and five years imprisonment second time, besides  fine up to Rs 5 lakh will be imposed on the accused.

Home minister Anil Vij who had introduced the bill in House said that that hookah bar meant a commercial establishment where people gather to smoke. The statement of objects and reasons of the bill said the state government has taken a serious note that hookah bars are serving hookah narghile with tobacco containing nicotine in various Haryana districts, which is highly injurious to health of the public at large.

 “Various flavours and herbs are also served by hookah bars. Many  times, even banned drugs are served in the said hookah bars under the guise of flavours or herbs. Such hookah involves a water pipe system and flavoured constituent shisha, heated with charcoal. Due to the misconception of less or no risk associated with it and availability of multiple flavours and less harshness of smoke its usage has increased significantly. However, smoke of such flavoured hookah contains various toxicants, which are not only harmful for the person smoking but also those nearby due to the passive smoking,” the revised bill 2024 said.