The Health Minister of Karnataka, Dinesh Gundu Rao, announced on Thursday that the state government has decided to impose a statewide ban on hookah smoking. The decision was made to protect public health and youth as there are serious health risks associated with it. The ban includes prohibiting the sale of both tobacco and non-tobacco hookah and its related ingredients, as well as any form of advertising or promotion of the business. Additionally, hookah bars across the state will also be banned.
Statewide Ban on Hookah to Protect Public Health and Youth
Given the serious health risks associated with hookah smoking, we have taken decisive action by banning hookah smoking across the state.
In light of this concern, we are implementing a ban on hookah smoking in Karnataka… pic.twitter.com/6zxVRbPJKU— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) February 8, 2024
In a post on X, the Minister said, "We are implementing a ban on hookah smoking in Karnataka by amending the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). Our government is working to build a safer and healthier environment for our future generations."
Why did the Karnataka govt ban the consumption of hookah?
According to ET, the health department outlined the reasons for the ban, stating that hookahs are typically used in enclosed spaces and shared by multiple people. These factors increase the risk of transmitting diseases such as herpes, hepatitis, and other infections. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has emphasized hookah's harmful effects, comparing a 30-45 minute session to smoking 20-40 cigarettes.
The state government has imposed a ban on hookah consumption in order to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens and to minimize the potential health hazards associated with it. By prioritizing public health and safety, Bengaluru is taking a proactive approach to protect its residents from the risks posed by hookah bars.
The state health minister declared in September 2023 that the Karnataka government was mulling a ban on hookah bars and increasing the legal age for tobacco consumption from 18 to 21 years.
At the time, Gundu Rao had highlighted that the unknown ingredients used in hookahs had the potential to cause addiction. In a similar move last year, the Haryana government prohibited serving hookah to customers in hotels, restaurants, bars, and commercial establishments throughout the state. However, the Haryana ban doesn't apply to traditional hookahs used in rural areas.
The WHO Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2016–17 (GATS–2), which shows that 22.8 per cent of adults in Karnataka use tobacco and 8.8 per cent smoke, provides alarming data in support of this measure. The report also shows that 23.9% of adults are exposed to secondhand smoke in public settings, demonstrating the widespread threat to tobacco consumption in the area.
Additionally, the state government's ban addresses the alarming rise in opioid use and the initiation of drug abuse linked to tobacco consumption, as reported by the World Drugs Report 2022, and acknowledges tobacco as a gateway to drug abuse.
Hookah smoking's risks are heightened by studies comparing it to cigarette smoking, which reveal that hookah smoke contains many of the same harmful substances, including nicotine, tar, and heavy metals. Hookah smokers are also at risk for various kinds of serious illnesses, including cancer and heart disease.
(With inputs from agencies)
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