Karnataka Health Minister Bans Hookah State Wide to Protect Public Health
Posted by admin on 2024-02-08 |
On February 7, Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Health
Minister of Karnataka, imposed a state-wide ban on hookah, aiming to safeguard
public health and the youth, as reported by ANI. This decision is supported by
data from the WHO Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2016-17 (GATS-2). According to
WHO statistics, 22.8% of adults in Karnataka use tobacco, with 8.8% being
smokers. The report highlights that 23.9% of adults are exposed to second-hand
smoke in public spaces, underlining the widespread risk of tobacco consumption
in Karnataka. The ban on hookah includes prohibitions on its sale, related
ingredients, advertising, and businesses associated with hookah.
The
order explicitly mentions, as reported by TOI, that hookahs are typically used
indoors and shared among multiple individuals, posing a high risk of
contracting diseases such as herpes and hepatitis. The Health Minister
previously remarked, "Whenever we consume hookah, we will consume it for
30-45 minutes and it is equal to smoking 20-40 cigarettes."
Earlier,
on January 26, the Health Minister inaugurated a new comprehensive cancer care
center and deluxe rooms at Kasturba Medical College (KMC) hospital in
collaboration with KMC Attavar oncology center. The government also plans to
provide free MRI and CT scans across the state. During the event, Dinesh Gundu
Rao emphasized the significance of specialized oncology care, mentioning that
early cancer detection is crucial for long-term benefits. He stressed the
importance of quality care, stating that equipment and technology are vital for
public welfare, and committed to saving every life.
In
Gurugram, Haryana, on February 2, a joint team of the drug control department
and the chief minister's flying squad conducted raids at two outlets in a mall
in sector 53. These raids were carried out due to allegations of serving
hookahs containing nicotine illegally. The police apprehended three employees
and seized nine hookahs and large quantities of intoxicants of various flavors
from the premises.
