more-in Mumbai: The draft Bill to bring about a ban on hookah bars will have strict penal provisions on the lines of the Gujarat Act, and running a hookah bar will attract a maximum jail term of two years and a fine of ?50,000, State Home Department officers said. The draft Bill will be tabled in the next Assembly session by the government for approval by both Houses. The Bill is an amendment to the existing Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), Maharashtra. While The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution)(Gujarat Amendment) Bill, 2017 proposes a three-year jail term and fine of ?50,000. The Maharashtra draft Bill had earlier sought a jail term of one year. Following a request by the Home Department, the Law and Judiciary Department has now proposed to double the quantum of punishment for offenders n the final version. A Home Department officer added, “The Chief Minister has given us strict instructions to follow the Gujarat law, and introduce similar provisions. These must also stand scrutiny in court, so we’ve revised provisions and increased the jail term.” As per data available with the State government, 130 bars in the city have been facing civic action after the Kamala Mills fire that killed 14 patrons in two restaurants. The draft Bill also proposes a minimum age for entry to bars, a minimum distance from public institutions and new licensing norms to regulate bars operating illegally.

Stay updated with all the Mumbai Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.