The Gujarat Government on Thursday approved Ordinance to ban hookah bars across the State. The decision to this effect was taken in the State Cabinet chaired by the Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Minister of Sate for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja said.
It would be a cognizable offence to operate hookah bar in the State and imprisonment between 1-3 years and fine between Rs20,000-50,000 has been prescribed for breach of law, Jadeja told media persons. Gujarat Police had earlier forced several hookah bars across the State to shut down over the issue of license. However, when challenged by hookah bar owners, the apex court cleared path for reopening of hookah bars, following which number of hookah bars started mushrooming in several cities of the State.
The State Home Minister said that Government had brought in the provision as many youngsters were falling prey to this habit and getting in to debt trap.
“Eventually some of them got involved in anti-social behavior. It became a matter of concern,” he added.