`Haryana is first state free of hookah bar`

Chandigarh: Haryana has emerged as the country`s first state free of hookah bar, an official said here Wednesday.

Haryana`s Commissioner for Food and Drug Administration Rakesh Gupta said Tuesday that all 66 hookah bars across the state were forced shut by the government.

He said that raids were conducted on the hookah bars and 100 samples were taken in the past one year. Of these, 90 samples were found to be nicotine positive.

"Court cases have been filed against owners of 22 hookah bars," Gupta said.

A majority of the bars were in Gurgaon, adjoining New Delhi, and Panchkula, adjoining state capital Chandigarh.

The hookah bars were mostly being frequented by youngsters, officials said here.

IANS