Karnataka imposes immediate ban on use, sale of hookah products

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The Karnataka government has ordered an immediate ban on the sales, consumption, possession and advertising of hookah products.

Hookah bars not only pose a risk of spreading communicable diseases such as herpes, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and Covid-19 due to direct mouth contact but also present fire safety hazards, the state's department of health and family welfare said in a notification on February 7.

"In the larger interest of the public, the sale, consumption, storage, advertisement, and promotion of hookah and products containing tobacco or nicotine, non-tobacco and non-nicotine hookah, flavoured hookah, molasses, shisha (hookah waterpipe), and other related products are prohibited," the notification said.

Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "The prohibition of hookah use, sale, and service in hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges, cafes, clubs, and other establishments is seen as a crucial step in protecting the youth from substance abuse and the harmful effects of tobacco."

The government took the action in the hope that it would find support among all responsible citizens who place the health and well-being of the people as a paramount concern, the minister said.

"The economic burden of tobacco is equally concerning, with Karnataka incurring a cost of Rs 983 crore in 2011 due to tobacco-related illnesses among individuals aged 35-69, highlighting the urgent need for preventative measures," Rao said.

The dangers of hookah smoking were further amplified by studies comparing it with cigarette smoking, revealing that hookah smoke contained many of the same harmful substances, including nicotine, tar, and heavy metals. Hookah smokers, too, were at risk of a range of serious diseases, including various types of cancers and heart disease, he said.

The ban addressed illegal operation of numerous hookah bars in Karnataka, particularly those close to educational institutions, he said.

Actions would be taken against violators under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), Child Protection and Welfare Act, Food Safety and Standards Act, and Karnataka Poisons (Possession and Sale) Rules, 2015, the notification said.