Online hookah sale: Delhi HC asks Centre to consider PIL as representation, issue directions

New Delhi [India], August 20 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Centre to consider a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) as representation concerning the alleged illegal sale of hookahs and their variants on e-commerce platforms, which lack health warnings.
The Court has set a three-month deadline for the Centre to address the issue and issue appropriate orders.
A bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela noted that the petitioner, Jagatmitra Foundation, had not first approached the authorities before filing the plea. The Court suggested to the petitioner to file appropriate proceedings if it remains dissatisfied with the decision made by the authorities.
The Delhi High Court directed the authorities concerned of Centre to address the writ petition as a formal representation and to take necessary action in line with existing laws.
The court emphasized that the statutory provisions regarding hookahs are not being implemented and required the Centre to establish a standard procedure.
The petitioner argued that public hookah consumption poses health risks, including second-hand smoke and the spread of communicable diseases, and criticized the unregulated online sale of tobacco products as a violation of public health rights. The petitioner sought a regulatory mechanism to address these issues.