Kolkata Bans Hookah Bars, To Cancel Licences of Restaurants for violation of Guidelines

Kolkata: Citing adverse effects on health, Kolkata is set to ban hookah bars and also cancel the licenses of restaurants for the violation of the guidelines.

Kolkata’s mayor, Firhad Hakim said that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will cancel licenses of restaurants that operate hookah bars in the city.

Kolkata Mayor further said, “We have decided to request the shutdown of hookah bars. It will remain shut across restaurants,”

He added that the administration received complaints that “certain intoxicants” are being used so that youngsters get addicted to hookahs. “Chemicals used in such hookahs are extremely bad for health. So we have decided to shut them,”

The decision was announced by Kolkata Mayor and TMC leader Firhad Hakim who urged the Hookah bars operating within closed spaces to close. He also advised the police to be strict about the imposition of the ban adding that the state government will cancel the licenses granted in the city earlier.

~Reporter Md Farooque