This State Plans to Ban Hookah Bars; Make 21 Minimum Age to Buy Tobacco Products

Bengaluru: To dissuade youngsters from getting addicted to tobacco, the Karnataka government is planning to ban hookah bars and make 21 the minimum age for buying tobacco products.

According to Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, the State government will amend the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act to put these curbs.

The minister has also decided to ban sell and consumption of tobacco products near schools, temples, mosques, childcare centres and hospitals.

The minister pointed out that addiction to tobacco products like cigarettes often leads to drug and substance abuse. The local organisations and the police department will be roped in to help implement and enforce the amendments to put curbs on tobacco use among youngsters, said the minister.