Now in the state, the operators of eateries, residential hotels and restaurants who are found running hookah bars can be punished with a jail term of three years. The state government has issued new rules regarding this which have also become effective.

If these rules issued before the celebration of New Year 2024 are not followed, in such a case, officers posted at the post of Sub Inspector or above will be able to take action. This will have an impact on dhabas, eateries, restaurants and shopkeepers selling food items operating in rural and urban areas, where hookah bars are used while sitting.

In the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Madhya Pradesh Amendment Act 2023 by the State Government, it has been provided that residential hotels, restaurants, eateries or places of amusement or entertainment in the state Hookah bars will not be able to operate at the places marked for smoking. There is a provision in the Act that for doing so, the person concerned can be punished with both punishment and fine.

For this, the government has also defined the restaurant separately and said that where any kind of food or refreshment is made available to the people or is sold for consumption, such a place will be included in the category of restaurant.

The Act provides that an officer of the rank of Sub Inspector of Police or above has the authority to acquire the contents of the hookah bar and can take action in such a case. Provisions have also been made that such incidents will be punishable with imprisonment of up to 3 years and fine of up to ? 1 lakh. While imposing imprisonment, it will be kept in mind that the punishment should not be less than 1 year. Similarly, the fine will not be less than Rs 50 thousand. The state government notified it on Thursday and implemented it.