Delhi High Court

Delhi HC Directs Centre to Address Petition on Illegal Sale of Hookahs Online

The Delhi High Court directed the Central Government on Tuesday to treat a petition regarding the alleged illegal sale of hookahs and their variants, which lack health warnings, on e-commerce platforms as a formal representation and to issue appropriate orders within three months.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela noted that the petitioner, Jagatmitra Foundation, filed the public interest litigation (PIL) without first approaching the authorities. The court instructed the petitioner to initiate appropriate proceedings if unsatisfied with the authorities’ decision.

“You are raising an important issue. You must make a decision. The petitioner argues that statutory provisions are not being implemented in this area. You need to establish a standard procedure,” the bench stated.

“The writ petition is disposed of with direction to respondents to treat the writ petition as a representation and pass appropriate orders, including taking necessary action in accordance with the law, within 12 weeks,” it added.
The petitioner argued that consuming hookahs in public is a health hazard and that the uncontrolled sale and promotion of tobacco products online violate the existing legal framework. It was contended that “second-hand” smoke also poses risks to non-smokers and that smoking hookahs contributes to the spread of communicable diseases.

Claiming that the unregulated sale of hookahs online infringes on the public’s right to health, the petitioner had requested the establishment of a mechanism to regulate this issue.

Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International

Nunnem Gangte

Recent Posts

Gulmarg Fashion Show: Srinagar Court To Hear Case Against Organizers On April 8

A Srinagar court has scheduled a hearing for April 8, 2025, in connection with the…

1 day ago

Gold Smuggling Case: Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Moves Sessions Court For Bail

Kannada actress Ranya Rao, arrested last week in connection with a gold smuggling case, has…

1 day ago

“Advocates Can appear In Confiscation Proceedings Under Forest Act”: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that advocates can represent clients in confiscation cases under…

1 day ago

Cement Prices Are Likely To Increase Because Of New Mineral Tax By States: Report

Cement prices across various states are expected to increase following a Supreme Court ruling that…

1 day ago

“Plaint Against Teacher By Parent, Student: First Enquiry, Then Arrest”: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court has laid down new guidelines to protect educators from hasty arrests…

1 day ago

SC Ruling Paves Way For Visually Impaired Judges; Yavnika Shares Her Experience

Supreme Court recently opened up the doors for visually impaired candidates in judiciary by striking…

3 days ago