Mumbai, India - NGO activists want closure of hookah bars..

August 22, 2009 - Activists of Lok Adhikar Welfare Trust, a Mumbai-based non-governmental organization (NGO), today went on an indefinite hunger strike demanding closure of hookahs (argileh nargile, hubble-bubble, water pipe, hooka, shisha, goza, meassel, sheesha) parlors in the city.

On October 2, 2008 public places across India become smoke-free. The health ministry's directive, is known as the "Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules 2008." (India Toughens Ban On Smoking In Public Places, Catharine Paddock, PhD., Medical News Today)

Talking to United News of India (UNI), president of the NGO, Anil Nair said, "We have started an indefinite hunger strike against the hookah parlors and our demand is that the government should immediately close down discos, pubs and other public places, where hookah is sold and strict action should be taken against those who violate this ban. Surprise checks should also be carried out by the police and the BMC at the public places to avoid cropping up of any such parlors in future." The protesters also submitted a memorandum of their demands to the District Collector.

Mr Nair also said that children below the age of 21 should be strictly restricted from smoking in all these restaurants, the senior inspector of each police station should be responsible to impose this ban in their concerned jurisdiction and the report should be submitted to the DCP concerned.

More than 100 hookahs parlor are running in the city, bringing huge revenue to the government, he added. Hookah bars more polluted than dumping grounds: Survey.

Reference: NGO acivists on hunger strike demanding closure of hookah parlors, United News of India, 8/21/2009.

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