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In a unanimous move, the Telangana Legislative Assembly on Monday approved a groundbreaking bill to ban hookah parlours. Spearheaded by State Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu, representing Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the legislation aims to curb the rising popularity of hookah smoking among youth, particularly college students.
Expressing concern over the exploitation of the hookah trend, Babu emphasized that smoking hookah is more detrimental than cigarettes, exposing smokers to toxic substances. The bill underscores the significant health risks posed to both active and passive smokers, citing the potential harm hookah parlours bring to public spaces.
Telangana Bans Hookah Bars. The urgency of the situation prompted the government to take swift action, asserting that tough measures, including the outright prohibition of hookah bars, are necessary. The move reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding public health and preventing the youth from falling prey to hookah addiction.
The legislative action took the form of the “Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Telangana Amendment) Bill, 2024,” and was unanimously passed without discussion. Telangana’s decisive stance sends a clear message about prioritizing public well-being over the perceived allure of hookah smoking, aligning with the recognition of its greater harm compared to conventional cigarettes.
