Karnataka government to increase tobacco buying age from 18 to 21
The Karnataka government intends to outlaw hookah lounges and raise the minimum age for tobacco purchases.
To minimize the use of tobacco and hookah, the government of Karnataka is likely to shortly outlaw hookah lounges, cigarettes, and other tobacco products for those under 21. On Tuesday, Ministers of state for Health Dinesh Gundu Rao and Sports B. Nagendra made the announcements. Previously, an individual had to be 18 years of age to purchase goods.
The decision was made at a meeting conducted by Rao with representatives of the Health Department and the Sports Minister Nagendra at the Vidhan Soudha, where they also talked about outlawing other tobacco products in public areas.
Trend of Hookah Bars
According to several news reports, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) would be revised to implement the new amendments, according to Dinesh Gundu Rao, the health minister for Karnataka. Additionally, Rao stated that smoking is not permitted nearby schools, hospitals, or shrines. The kids are drawn to hookah bars, which is negatively affecting their health.
After consuming tobacco, youths were attracted to drugs and substance abuse
“Today’s youth are losing their precious future by being addicted to drugs. In this background, we have taken a firm decision to root out illegal activities. After consuming tobacco, youths were attracted to drugs and substance abuse. Tobacco use laid the foundation for all this,” said Rao as reported by the mint.
Rao voiced worry about the rising number of kids between the ages of 12 and 25 who attend hookah bars.
Because hookah lounges are now a substitute for youths who want to smoke cigarettes and other tobacco products, according to a report by ET, the Health Minister said, “ We have discussed bringing in amendments to the Act. We have discussed issuing a government order in this regard in the days to come. The wording and legal aspects will be discussed and decided.” Rao claimed that drug addiction is costing today’s youth their valuable future. In light of this, we have made the resolute decision to root out illicit activity.
“After consuming, youths were attracted to drugs and substance abuse. Tobacco use laid the foundation for all this and so we have started to correct it at the source”, he added.
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