The Madhya Pradesh Legislature through a notification dated 27th December, 2023 issued amendment to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. The amendments include the addition of new sections to the principal act and the introduction of new provisions and punishments related to the contravention of section 4A.
The newly inserted section 13A empowers police officers, not below the rank of Sub-Inspector or authorized by the State Government, to seize any material or article used as a subject or means of a hookah bar if they have reason to believe that the provisions of section 4A have been or are being contravened.
Another addition is section 21A, which stipulates that contravening the provisions of section 4A will result in punishment. The punishment includes imprisonment for a term extending to three years, with a fine that can range from fifty thousand rupees to one lakh rupees.
Furthermore, section 27A declares that an offense under section 4A shall be cognizable. This implies that the authorities have the right to make an arrest without a warrant and start an investigation without the need for a court’s permission.
Overall, the amendments aim to strengthen the enforcement of regulations related to hookah bars and enhance the penalties for contravening these regulations. These changes indicate a stricter approach towards the operation of hookah bars and emphasize the legal consequences for non-compliance.
