A day after conducting raids on hookah bars in the city, the Commissionerate police on Sunday announced to initiate penal action under the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) against these joints if they are found flouting the law.
Under the COTPA, there is prohibition on smoking tobacco products in non-smoking zones. The Act also prohibits the sale of tobacco products to minors and in an area within a 100-yard radius of educational institutions.
DCP Satyabrata Bhoi on Sunday said the hookah bars would be served notices and stringent action would be initiated against them for violating the guidelines.
The development followed police raids on five hookah bars during which nicotine in hookah samples was found though most hookah joint owners claim to be selling hookah without nicotine content.
On Saturday night, the Saheed Nagar and Infocity police conducted raids on the hookah bars in their respective areas and found nicotine in the samples. It was alleged that several minors were the regular visitors to these joints.
During the inspection, many customers started fleeing the spot all of a sudden spotting the cops. More than two dozen hookah bars are operating in the city, sources said.