Karnataka Plans To Ban Hookah Bars, Raise Minimum Age For Tobacco Products

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the government plans to increase the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21.

To tackle the threat of young people getting addicted to tobacco, the Karnataka government is planning to ban hookah bars and increase the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21.

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the government plans to amend the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act to bring about these changes. 

After a meeting with health department officials on Tuesday, the minister said that, apart from schools, the sale and consumption of tobacco products is banned around temples, mosques, childcare centres and hospitals as well.