BANGALORE: Based on a tip-off, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagra Palike (BBMP) raided a hookah joint on Residency Road and found about 45 school students smoking hookah. According to Dr Suresh, deputy health officer, based on a complaint, a team of BBMP officials raided Seven Hills Snooker Club. “About 45 students including girls were smoking hookah. They were still in their uniforms, which means they had gone to the snooker parlour straight from the school. Most of them are students of a popular school located on Residency Road.” Officials seized five hookah stands and sealed Seven Hills Snooker Club. When questioned on how a private club had allowed minors inside the snooker parlour, Suresh said they were yet to interrogate the owners of the club. Y M Ramachandra Murthy, deputy commissioner (Health), said that city civic authorities had banned hookah smoking. “Hookah is also a form of smoking. Officials also raided hookah joints including restaurants on Lavelle Road, 100 Ft Road Ring Road, Domlur, HAL Second Stage, Shanthi Nagar and surrounding areas. This resolution was implemented in the BBMP council. We have the authority to conduct raids and even cancel trade licences,” he said. Six months ago too BBMP had conducted a raid on these places. In a release, BBMP stated that five Hookah stands, tobacco flavours and cigarette packets were seized. As per section 21 of Amusement of Smoking in Public Place, 1973 Act, it is illegal to smoke in public places.
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