Centre bans Hookah Centres

Hyderabad June 4: Union Government has taken another step for prevention of Smoking. The Central Government has banned the Hookah centers. Currently, these centers operate in the city in the name of special smoking zones in Hotels, Restaurants, and Airport.

The owners have said that Hookah is just a perfume and it doesn't cause any harm. However, the Centre had gathered all the details about these centers and the ill health of smoking. The government has Amended the Public Places Prohibition of Smoking Act 2008.

According to the new Gazette published the Centre had banned the creation of special smoking zones and such centers in metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad.

The notification also says that special displays containing "Smoking is Injurious to health" must be placed at the entrance of hotels, restaurants, Airports. Officers hope that people would stop smoking by the new move.