Delhi Health department today raided and penalised 10 hookah lounges in Connuaght Place area for various violations, during an awareness-cum-enforcement drive marking 'Dry Day for Tobacco' today.
Over 700 people, including general public and youngsters, were sensitised about the ill-effects of tobacco during the drive, Additional Director (Health), State Tobacco Control Cell, Dr S K Arora, said.
"In the day-long drive, 10 restaurants-cum-hooka bars along with a few tobacco vendors were raided and hooka materials collected for analysis. Challans amounting Rs 23,000 were issued for various violations," said Dr Arora.
"We need to become alert on the latest strategy of tobacco industry of hookah bars, e-cigarette and surrogate advertisements through which they want to remain in the market. Through this, they are primarily targeting our youngsters including females," said Dr Arora.
Delhi government has declared the last day of every month as 'Dry Day for Tobacco'.
Stepping up its efforts towards tobacco control, the health department has also launched an innovative drive, creating a 'Tobacco Aware Citizens' Directory' to spread word on its harmful effects.
Those who actively participate in the drive will be given a merit certificate and recognised as bona fide 'Tobacco Aware Citizen of Delhi', Arora said, adding their names will be included in the Tobacco Aware Citizens of Delhi directory.
The department has collected email ids from hospitals and educational institutions and is now randomly sending out questions to them to seek their participation in the drive.
The initiative presents questions on tobacco awareness for the participants through emails and other social media as well as mobile messaging service WhatsApp.
