The Karnataka government plans to ban hookah bars in the state and might increase the age for buying cigarettes from 18 to 21. The Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, and the Youth Empowerment Minister, B Nagendra, announced this decision in a press conference.
They aim to create a new law to ban hookah bars to protect the health of the state’s youth. These changes will be made by amending the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) during the upcoming winter session of the State legislature.
The government will work with the police to enforce this ban effectively. Additionally, they are considering raising the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21 to discourage young people from using them. This change intends to curb underage access to tobacco products.