Haryana Assembly Passes Bill Prohibiting Hookah Bars, Offenders Can Face Up To 3 Years In Jail, Rs 5 Lakh Fine

The bill effectively prohibits the establishment and operation of hookah bars or any service involving hookah consumption in public places, including eating houses.

File photo of Home Minister Anil Vij

Source : ANI

New Delhi: The Haryana Assembly, on Monday, unanimously passed a significant bill aimed at curbing the operation of hookah bars across the state. The legislation, known as the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Haryana Amendment Bill, 2024, was tabled by Home Minister Anil Vij and received approval during the evening session, news agency PTI reported.

The bill effectively prohibits the establishment and operation of hookah bars or any service involving hookah consumption in public places, including eating houses. This amendment serves as a supplement to the existing central law, The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, as reported by PTI.

According to the newly inserted Section 4-A of the principal Act, the bill explicitly states, "No person shall either on his own or on behalf of any other person, open or run any hookah bar or serve hookah to a customer in any place, including an eating house", the report mentioned

Additionally, the bill defines an "eating house" as any establishment where food or refreshments are provided or sold for consumption by visitors.

The legislation introduces Section 21-A, which outlines punitive measures for contravening the prohibition on hookah bars. Offenders could face imprisonment ranging from one to three years along with fines ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, PTI reported.

Haryana Hookah Bar Ban: Congress Raises Concerns Over Bill

During discussions on the bill, Congress MLA Varun Chaudhary raised concerns regarding the ambiguity surrounding the definition of "traditional hookah" and its potential exploitation by violators. He stated, "What will happen is that to bypass things, (violators) will put harmful and prohibited substances in that (traditional) hookah. Thus, it will defeat the very purpose for which this bill is being brought."

Responding to these concerns, Home Minister Anil Vij clarified that the bill is specifically aimed at commercial establishments and does not restrict individuals from smoking traditional hookah in private settings. He assured that the legislation is intended to tackle the proliferation of hookah bars that serve harmful substances under the pretext of traditional practices.

The bill's statement of objects and reasons elucidates the state government's concerns regarding the prevalence of hookah bars serving tobacco-containing nicotine and other banned substances. It highlights the misconception surrounding hookah smoking, attributing its popularity to perceived lower risks and the availability of diverse flavours.

It further emphasises the inherent dangers associated with hookah smoking, citing the presence of toxicants harmful not only to smokers but also to bystanders through passive smoking.