Total shutdown of hookah parlours in Hyderabad; ban effective from this week onwards

Hyderabad: Hyderabad police has called for a total shutdown of hookah parlours in the city. Senior cops said that they are implementing the Central government’s new rule banning hookah smoking in establishments and at public places. Police will be conducting raids to ensure that all hookah parlours are shut in the city. The ban is effective from this week onwards.

Hyderabad Commissioner of Police M. Mahender Reddy said that their aim is to declare Hyderabad 'a hookah-free city' by implementing the government rule.

“We have alerted all the Station House Officers, ACPs, and Zonal DCPs to conduct searches in their areas and do a major crackdown on the hookah parlours. Stringent action will be initiated against those who violate the law,” said Mahender Reddy.

As per the new rule, no hotels, restaurants, private clubs or parlours can let any of their customers smoke inside their premises. Though hookah parlours are not mentioned by the name in the ruling, it says that “no service shall be allowed in any smoking area or space provided for smoking.”

The order is issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare by amending the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Act, 2008.

Every establishment including airports has been asked to display a board stating that no smoking was allowed inside.

“A section of youngsters in the city smoke in the parlours here and later adopt other bad habits. We need to make sure that the young generation remain heal-thy,” said a senior cop from Hyderabad.

Cops say that hookah parlours remain open beyond 11 pm violating the city police rules. The management also allows teenagers into the parlour and allows them to stay back post midnight. Thus implementation of hookah ban would promote civic safety, an offcial said.