Delhi has become the first in India to ban the use of hookahs, with or without tobacco, at all public places, including hotels, restaurants and bars.
The Delhi Government order banned the use of hookahs, with immediate effect to control the spread of COVID-19.
“Smokers are likely to be more vulnerable as smoking means the fingers are in contact with the lips, which increases the possibility of transmission of the virus,” the health department said in an order.
Smokers might also have lung diseases or reduced lung capacity, which could increase the risk of serious illness, it added. Smoking products, such as water pipes, often involve sharing of mouthpieces and hoses, which could facilitate the transmission of COVID in communal and social settings, the health department said.
