On 21 February, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed a bill banning the sale and consumption of hookah.
Karnataka High Court has upheld a government ban on the sale, consumption, storage, advertisement, and promotion of all hookah products within the state. “A session of hookah is more harmful than a pack of cigarettes,” said the court upholding the ban. On 21 February, the Karnataka Assembly passed a Bill banning the sale and consumption of hookah.