Karnataka Bans Hookah Bars to Protect Health
- krishna shinde
- 8 Feb 2024 , 8:56 AM
- Bengaluru
- 297
Bengaluru: Karnataka's Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, declared a ban on hookah bars statewide. This action aims to keep people safe, especially the youth, from the harms of tobacco. The decision comes after alarming data from the World Health Organization's survey showing high tobacco use in Karnataka.
What the Survey Found:
Many People Use Tobacco:About 22.8% of adults in Karnataka use tobacco, with 8.8% smoking regularly.
Secondhand Smoke is a Problem:Nearly 24% of adults are exposed to secondhand smoke in public places, which is risky for non-smokers.
Why Ban Hookah Bars:
Minister Rao explained that hookah bars attract young adults and might lead them to other harmful habits. Also, these bars aren't regulated well, raising worries about dangerous additives in hookah flavors.