The Supreme Court on Monday lifted a three-year-old ban on hookah smoking saying that the prohibition of smoking could be extended in public places only.
In a judgment, a bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Rohinton Nariman said smoking prohibition could not be imposed on spaces earmarked for the purpose.
The apex court clarified Rule 3 of the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008. The bench said it is incumbent for owners of a public place to ensure that no person smokes there.
Hookah smoking in smoking areas is outside the purview of the cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply & Distribution) Act, 2003, or the Cigarettes Act, the bench said.
DH News Service
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