Ramadoss adamant on smoking out hookah parlours

Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss took his ongoing fight against smoking and tobacco a step further yesterday by directing his ire towards hookah parlours.

Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss took his ongoing fight against smoking and tobacco a step further yesterday by directing his ire towards hookah parlours.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the Tobacco Atlas at the 14th World Conference on Tobacco or

HOOKAH WHAT? Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss

Health at the NCPA, Nariman Point, Ramadoss said, "People wrongly believe that hookah smoke is not injurious to health. Moreover, all hookah parlours are illegal. They should be shut down."

Mentioning that he was "satisfied though not overly" by the effects of the smoking ban, he hoped that the next six months would see the ban evolving from a coercive move to one that witnesses "voluntary compliance from the public".

Mayor Shubha Raul and President Pratibha Patil have supported Ramadoss's views on the subject.
BMC Executive Health Officer Jairaj Thanekar said, "There are no hookah parlours in Mumbai. Eateries are not permitted to serve hookah. The public are invited to report violations."

What is a hookah?
The hookah consists of four parts: a base filled halfway with water, a bowl to hold the tobacco and coal, a pipe that connects the bowl and base, and a hose to inhale the smoke. The water acts as a filter for the smoke.