Yoga guru Baba Ramdev shared a video on September 11, in which he mentioned a special hookah. It is claimed to eliminate Vata-Pitta-Kapha Tridosha and various genetic diseases through this hookah. In the video, a woman is seen inhaling smoke from a hookah, while Baba Ramdev is seen adding ingredients like liquorice, turmeric, cow ghee and camphor into it.
The mixture claims to contain Ayurvedic ingredients like crushed liquorice, pure cow ghee, turmeric, mustard, desi camphor and Kakra Singhi. Baba Ramdev says that inhaling this smoke provides relief from problems like blocked nose, cough and phlegm. The caption of the video reads, 'How to eliminate Vata-Pitta-Kapha Tridosha and all genetic diseases?'
However, the question arises that if hookah is harmful to health, will calling it Ayurvedic make it beneficial? Seen from a scientific point of view, smoke is smoke, whether it is from tobacco or herbs. The smoke contains carbon monoxide and other toxic substances, which can cause serious health problems.
According to the report of America's health organization CDC, the smoke contains carbon monoxide and toxic elements, which harm the lungs. Putting herbal or Ayurvedic label on it does not eliminate the danger. A study in Weill Cornell Medicine found that even light hookah can cause abnormalities in the lungs, DNA damage and reduced lung capacity.
Dr. Sameer said that the smoke emanating from burning any plant can cause irritation in the respiratory tract, which can cause problems like cough, wheezing in the chest and swelling in the respiratory tubes. This can be more harmful, especially for people suffering from asthma or COPD.
COTPA (Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act), 2003 is in force to control tobacco consumption in India. Under this, smoking in public places is prohibited. In many states, tobacco and flavored hookah bars have been completely banned.
Karnataka has amended COTPA in 2024 to impose a complete ban on hookah bars in the state, and also increased the legal age for purchasing tobacco. There is a provision of imprisonment up to 3 years and fine for violating the rules. In many states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala, there is a strict ban on hookah bars and smoking hookah in public.
However, there is a legal catch. In 2025, the Bombay High Court had clarified that if the hookah served in a hookah bar is completely tobacco or nicotine free and there is no violation of COTPA, then police action is not justified. Thus, tobacco-free or herbal hookahs are legally allowed in some states, even though health experts consider them harmful.
