Among the spate of findings in past few months, such as cows breathing out oxygen, BJP MLA, Manjinder Singh Sirsa has found the Hookah to be among the prime causes for Delhi’s air pollution.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is seized of the matter.

Sirsa, in his petition to the NGT has asked for a bar on Hookah Bars, saying they might be a reason for the dangerously high levels of pollution in the city.

Contrary to the normally-held belief that smoking hookah is less dangerous than cigarettes, the petition contends that hookah is not only dangerous for the smoker’s health but also impacts the “society” and the “environment” adversely. It raises concerns over hookah bars “ruining” the youth of Delhi by turning them into “drug addicts”.

In the hearing on Wednesday (November 29), the hookah bars, which were made respondents in the case, submitted that they are using “herbal hookah” which contains no nicotine in it.

The tribunal issued bailable warrants of Rs 25,000 against the respondents who failed to appear for the hearing.

Treating the matter raised in the petition seriously, the NGT has sought response from the government on the issue. The bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar had issued notices to the Ministry of Environment of Forests, city government, Delhi Pollution Control Board and the police seeking their reply on the issue. It had also directed the Delhi government to furnish details of the restaurants and bars in the city which allowed smoking hookah in their premises.

In an earlier hearing of the case, Sirsa had provided NGT evidence disastrous effects of hookah smoking on health and environment. He also referred to the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules 2008 which, he said, were being openly flouted, as the hookah was being permitted in open spaces.

Sirsa said in the petition that air quality tests done at seven hookah bars had found dangerously high levels of airborne particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nicotine, and that this also poses a risk to other people exposed to second-hand smoking.

The matter has been listed for final disposal on December 12.