TS Bans Hookah Parlours

The Telangana government has passed a bill banning hookah parlors in the state. The bill was introduced by the Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu on behalf of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The minister explained that the ill effects of hookah are even more dangerous than cigarettes. The aim of the bill is to protect the young generation from the harm caused by hookah. The minister highlighted that hookah not only affects the smoker but also passive smokers. He expressed concern over youth and college students becoming addicts and being taken advantage of by organizers. According to the minister, 200 puffs of hookah are equivalent to 100 times more harm than cigarettes. The bill was passed without any discussion.