ACTION PUNJAB NEWS Desk: In a significant development and citing ‘public health and safety,’ Karnataka imposed a statewide ban on the sale and consumption of hookah. 

The announcement of the same has been made by Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. 
Taking to his social media, the Karnataka Health Minister posted on X, “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.”

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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 light of this concern, 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,” said the post.

Karnataka’s recent ban on hookahs is supported by concerning findings from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2016-17 (GATS-2).

According to the report, 22.8 percent of adults in Karnataka use tobacco, with 8.8 percent being smokers. Additionally, the survey indicates that 23.9 percent of adults are exposed to secondhand smoke in public places, underscoring the widespread risks associated with tobacco consumption in the state.

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Notably, Hookah smoke contains harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide, nicotine, tar, and heavy metals, which can be inhaled into the lungs and bloodstream. Hookah smoking can lead to respiratory issues such as coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, and even lung cancer. The water in the hookah does not filter out all the harmful substances, contrary to popular belief.