Shutting down of Shisha bars by the effective use of current legal provisions - a case series from Punjab, India

Background and challenges to implementation Tobacco in Shisha /Hookah is known to be carcinogenic. Health risks of smoking Shisha /Hookah include exposure to many toxic chemicals. Presently there is no provision under any law in India to ban Shisha /Hookah. But running a Shisha /Hookah Bar violate many provisions of other legislations of India like The Poisons Act, 1919, Section 4, 5, 6 & 7 of COTPA, 2003, Food safety and Standards Act, 2006, Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (In case minors are present in Hookah/Shisha Bars) and Section 144 if promulgated. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of current legal provisions in shutting down of Shisha bars. Intervention or response The present study was conducted in the period of April 2011 to March 2017 in Punjab. In 2013 Punjab Government had issued a Demi-Official letter to the Deputy Commissioners of all the districts to promulgate section 144 of CrPC against all the Shisha /Hookah bars. Health Advisory in year 2013 was issued regarding Shisha /Hookah by whatever names it is called. Regular enforcement drives and IEC activities were done at State, district to create awareness regarding the ill effects of Shisha /Hookah Results and lessons learnt Total 15 Shisha /Hookah bars have been raided in various districts of Punjab. FIRs have been launched against Shisha /Hookah bar owners by the Police department under section 144 of CrPC and cases have been launched under FSSAI, India. No complaint regarding a functional Shisha /Hookah bar has been received anywhere in Punjab. Conclusions and key recommendations The strict measures undertaken by the Punjab government against Shisha /Hookah bars was detrimental in functioning of Shisha /Hookah bars in the state. Strong interdepartmental co-ordination, awareness activities and regular enforcements drives are the re-enforcers in shutting down of Shisha/Hookah bars