To curb the rising menace of tobacco and drug consumption, the state government plans to suspend police officers and arrest those running hookah parlours and selling banned vapes/e-cigarettes.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday stated in the Legislative Assembly that the consumption of hookah has become a style statement and reiterated that the police and those indulging in this business would both face strict action. Not just hookah parlours, the police, too, will have to face the heat if any establishment is found providing hookahs to customers. “If police take action it’s fine. But, if anyone other than police personnel brings to our notice that hookah parlours are functioning in particular areas, the officers concerned will be suspended,” Fadnavis warned.