Maharashtra Government to Permanently Revoke Licenses of Illegal Hookah Parlors
Mumbai – The Maharashtra government is set to take strict action against illegal hookah parlors, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announcing that establishments violating the ban will face permanent license cancellation.
Fadnavis, speaking in the state assembly, emphasized that running a hookah parlor is already illegal under the 2018 law. However, despite the ban, many hotels and restaurants continue to operate these parlors, particularly in college areas. Reports suggest that such establishments serve not just hookah but also illegal substances like drugs and cannabis, leading to addiction among young people.
To curb this issue, the government is implementing stricter enforcement. As per the revised law, first-time offenders caught serving hookah will face a three-year prison term. If caught a second time, the hotel or restaurant’s license will be suspended for six months. A third offense will lead to permanent cancellation of the establishment’s license, and a non-bailable case will be filed against the owner.
Legislators Sunil Kamble and Sanjay Kelkar raised concerns in the assembly regarding the growing presence of illegal hookah parlors. Responding to them, the Chief Minister assured that in addition to shutting down these parlors, action would also be taken against negligent police officers if unauthorized operations are exposed by sources other than law enforcement.
Authorities have already conducted multiple raids on such establishments, revealing instances where even school students were found consuming hookah. Additionally, the government is considering tightening laws around the use of electronic cigarettes, which are already banned in the state.
The crackdown is expected to bring significant changes, ensuring that unauthorized hookah parlors are eliminated and preventing young people from falling into addiction traps.
