Akali Dal seeks ban on Delhi hookah bars, writes to NGT

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in a letter written to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has demanded a ban on hookah bars in New Delhi.

Quoting a World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study , Rajouri Garden , New Delhi MLA and General Secretary of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Manjinder Singh Sirsa has sought immediate and complete ban on hookah bars in New Delhi.

"The study shows that hookah smoke contains many of the harmful toxins which can cause lung cancer, respiratory illness, low birth weight and periodontal diseases. A hookah smoking session exposes the smoker to more smoke over a longer period of time. Also due to the method of smoking including frequency of puffing, depth of inhalation and length of smoking Hookah smokers absorb higher concentration of toxins," Manjinder Singh Sirsa told the court.

Sirsa said hookah smoking not only affects smokers' heath but also greatly influences the surrounding atmosphere including the passive smokers.

The Akali Dal leader also briefed the court about a misconception about hookah smoke. He said that people believe that hookah is a safer alternative to cigarette whereas the truth is that the smoker during a single hookah smoking session inhales smoke equivalent to 150 cigarettes.

HOOKAH SMOKING CAUSES ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Sirsa told NGT that hookah smoking is directly contributing to environmental pollution. Air quality tests at seven hookah bars found dangerously high levels of airborne particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nicotine.

"A study showed that hookah smoke, carbon monooxide levels averages 11 parts per million and the PM 2.5 level was 489 micrograms per cubic meter of air, where in a room there were only four active hookah smokers. However, in the non-smoking rooms, carbon monoxide levels averaged 1.5 ppm while PM 2.5 levels averaged 93 micrograms. Meaning thereby, the hookah smoking pollutes indoor, which subsequently pollutes the air," Sirsa said.

The Akali Dal leader told the court that hookah creates high levels of indoor air pollution than cigarettes smoking.The use of charcoal used to burn the tobacco and other ingredients releases carbon monoxide, metals and other chemicals into the air pollution.

Strongly advocating ban on hookah bars in National Capital, Sirsa said that Government of Gujarat has completely banned hookah smoking in the state since it is more hazardous to environment and very harmful for non-smokers. Further, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have also stopped issuing license to restaurants offering hookah smoking.

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