The Gujarat government, on Thursday, banned hookah bars in the state. The government also made the existing Prohibition Act stricter.
The decision was taken at a meeting headed by chief minister Vijay Rupani.
Minister of state for home Pradipsinh Jadeja said that the decision to ban hookah bars was taken to prevent the youth from getting trapped into addition.
Violation of the law would invite one to three years of imprisonment and a fine ranging from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 50,000.
The state government was concerned after it gathered details that using a hookah involved 200 puffs as against 20 puffs of cigarette.
It had also come to notice of the state government that the youngsters, who had no money, used to take money on interest to visit hookah bars.
A couple of years ago, police had cracked down on hookah bars over the issue of license. The bar owners, however, had approached the Supreme Court, which in turn had cleared the path for re-opening of the hookah bars. Thereafter, hookah bars again started mushrooming in the state. In several parts of Gujarat, hookah bars were even run behind the banners of coffee houses/restaurants.
The state government has also made provisions of the existing Prohibition Act more stringent.
Jadeja said that those involved in the business of drugs would be liable for 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Earlier, they were entitled for three years of imprisonment.
Recently, in talks with the OBC community, the state government had assured that the Prohibition Act would be made more stringent.
