Hookah ban extended by another 3 months in Gurgaon

Gurgaon - The district administration, on Friday, extended the ban imposed on hookah bars in the city by another three months. The order was initially passed in November 2011, which made hookah bars operating throughout the district, illegal under section 144 of the code of criminal procedure.

"We are reinforcing the ban on hookah bars under section 144 CrPc. Orders invoking this particular section of the law need to be renewed every three months," said an official of the district administration.

Mainly health reasons were cited when the ban was first imposed last year, which was weeks after the Food and Drugs Administration of Haryana concluded its state-wide raids on hookah bars. "Hookah bars were serving tobacco molasses containing nicotine, which is injurious to health. These facilities were mainly affecting the young college-going people," said the official. Before the order was issued, there were about 60 hookah bars operating in the district.

He added that the order has been sent to Gurgaon police and the district health authorities for strict compliance. "We have also conveyed this order to all the district revenue officers of HUDA, tehsildars, panchayat officers, SDMs and other officials of the administration. They have all been asked to enforce the ban in their respective areas," he said.