The Shiv Sena-run BMC has now turned its gun on the city's hookah parlours. Shiv Sena wants all hookah parlours should be banned immediately, as they have no permission from BMC.

In this regard Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar met the Commissioner of Police in Mumbai today, and asked for help from his department to crackdown on hookah parlours. Today, the Mayor also gave a one page letter to CP Padsalgikar, and asked for help so that the BMC can shut down all hookah parlours in the city as soon as possible.

Also Read: Mumbaikars rejoice! BMC allows hotels and malls to open rooftop restaurants

"BMC has not given any permission to any hookah parlours. All of them are illegal. Court has ordered hotels to provide smoking zone, but many hotels are running illegal hookah parlours in their hotels. We are taking this move to save our next generation as consumption of hookah is one of the main reason for many lung diseases," said Mahadeshwar.

A copy of the Mayor's letter to the Chief of Mumbai Police. Photo: India Today A copy of the Mayor's letter to the Chief of Mumbai Police. Photo: India Today

Mahadeshwar said that Mumbai CP has assured him full cooperation in this campaign against hookah parlours. Shiv Sena is not the only party who wants hookah parlours to be banned in the city.

During the recent winter session of Maharashtra State assembly at Nagpur, a BJP MLA from Mumbai, Mangalprabhat Lodha, had moved a private member bill to ban such parlours. He had moved a bill to amend the cigarette and other tobaco products act of 2003.

Also Read: This restaurant in Mumbai employs people who are speech and hearing impaired

The Mayor feels that hookah parlours have become hotspots for school and college students to consume tobacco products. Many times illegal drugs also get sold in these parlours, and many criminals who are into illegal business of drugs also easily roam in such places.

According to the Mayor, they will start cracking down on the illegal hookah parlours in the city soon, with help of Mumbai police. The Mayor has also shown the willingness of BMC to help Fadnavis government to make stricter rules for hookah parlours in the city.