Karnal: Hoteliers seek govt approval to serve flavoured hookah without nicotine
Tribune News Service
Karnal, August 11
Hoteliers have urged the state government to allow them to serve flavoured hookah without nicotine in parties and functions. They sent a memorandum to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and requested amendments to the “Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution), Haryana Amendment Bill, 2024”, which prohibits hookah bars.
The memorandum was sent after a meeting of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Haryana (HRAH) was held at Noormahal Palace on Saturday, which was chaired by its president Col Manbeer Choudhary (retd).
Members raised their concern over the issue, requesting the government to consider allowing the service of flavoured hookah without nicotine at parties and functions. Besides, they emphasized the role of the hospitality industry in the growth of tourism in Haryana.
Choudhary said they were against the use of drugs and narcotics in hookahs and assured the government that only simple, flavoured hookahs would be served.
“We adhere to the Act, which prohibits the operation of hookah bars and the serving of hookahs in hotels, restaurants, banquets and other commercial establishments in the state. We request the government for amendments to it, allowing us to use simple flavoured hookah without nicotine,” said Choudhary.
The HRAH president advised members with bar licence to prominently display warning boards on their premises. These boards should state, “Consumption and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is prohibited by law and punishable with rigorous imprisonment and fine”. “Any person found either possessing, using or distributing any type of drug would be banned from entering the premises and reported to the police.”
The hoteliers also urged the state governments and district administrations to take stricter action against the open consumption of alcohol in public spaces, including cars. They highlighted that such activities not only create law and order issues but also negatively impact the business of licensed establishments that contribute to government revenue through bar licence fees and taxes.
