Ban on hookah products to protect youth: Karnataka Health Minister

Bengaluru, Feb 8 (IANS) Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Thursday that the immediate ban on hookah products is a bold and proactive measure to safeguard the health of citizens and stem the tide of tobacco-related diseases.

This decisive action is backed by alarming data from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2016-17 (GATS-2), which states that 22.8 per cent of adults in Karnataka use tobacco, with 8.8 per cent being smokers, he stated.

The report further reveals that 23.9 per cent of adults are exposed to secondhand smoke in public places, demonstrating the pervasive risk of tobacco consumption in the state, Rao said.

The WHO Global Youth Tobacco Survey of 2019 underscored the growing engagement of youth with tobacco products, with nearly one-fifth of students aged 13-15 having consumed tobacco in some form. Moreover, research has shown that both tobacco-based shisha and "herbal" shisha emit smoke laden with toxic agents, heightening the risk of cancers, heart disease, and lung disease, he explained.

The minister stated, the economic burden of tobacco is equally concerning, with Karnataka incurring a cost of Rs 983 crores in 2011 due to tobacco-related illnesses among individuals aged 35-69, highlighting the urgent need for preventative measures.

Recognising tobacco as a gateway to drug abuse, the state government's ban also addresses the disturbing increase in opioid use and the initiation of drug abuse stemming from tobacco consumption, as indicated by the World Drugs Report 2022, Rao said.

The dangers of Hookah smoking are further amplified by studies comparing it with cigarette smoking, revealing that Hookah smoke contains many of the same harmful substances, including nicotine, tar, and heavy metals. Hookah smokers are also at risk for a range of serious diseases, including various types of cancers and heart disease, he said.

The ban addresses the illegal operation of numerous Hookah bars in Karnataka, particularly those close to educational institutions. The move is supported by legal provisions including COTPA 2003 and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, among others, which Hookah bars have been found to violate, Minister Rao explained.

“We reaffirm the state's responsibility to promote the health of its people and to eliminate health hazards. The prohibition of Hookah use, sale, and service in hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges, cafes, clubs, and other establishments is seen as a crucial step in protecting the youth from substance abuse and the harmful effects of tobacco,” he said.

The government of Karnataka has taken this action with the conviction that it will be met with support from all responsible citizens who place the health and well-being of the people as a paramount concern, he maintained.

The Karnataka government has imposed a ban on the use and sale of both tobacco and non-tobacco Hookah in public establishments across the state.