Karnataka imposes statewide ban on ‘hookah’, health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao says ‘to protect youth’

Karnataka Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao imposed a state-wide ban on hookah on February 7.

This decision was taken to protect public health and youth, reported sources.

This state-wide hookah ban is backed by data from the WHO Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2016-17 (GATS-2).

According to WHO data, 22.8% of adults in Karnataka use tobacco, with 8.8% being smokers.

The report further outlines alarming details that 23.9% of adults are exposed to second-hand smoke in public places.

The report demonstrates the pervasive risk of tobacco consumption in the Karnataka.

The order banning hookah also prohibits the sale of hookah and related-ingredients, advertising and business of hookah.

Earlier on January 26, Karnataka Health Minister inaugurated new comprehensive cancer care centre and blossom deluxe rooms at the Kasturba medical college (KMC) hospital here, in collaboration with KMC Attavar oncology centre. Moreover, the government plans to make MRI and CT scans free across the state.