The Punjab government on Monday decided to impose a ban on hookah bars across the state instead of issuing temporary orders against their operation every two months. The Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh approved an amendment to the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce Production Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA) 2003 intended for the prevention and control of diseases caused by the use of tobacco products for this purpose. The decision is aimed at reducing the trend of hookah bars besides the use of tobacco in various