Procedure to open a hookah bar

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For opening a hookah parlour in Mumbai, you would have to comply with the provisions of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco products Act, 2003 ("Act") and the rules issued thereunder. As per the Act, smoking in public places (i.e. restaurants, hospitals, libraries etc) is not permitted. However, in a restaurant which has a capacity of 30 persons or more, a separate smoking space can be made. Hence, you would have to open a restaurant in which there will be designated area for smoking hookah. This restaurant however cannot be located within 100 yards of any educational institution and hookah cannot be sold/made available to an person below 18 years of age. For opening such restaurant cum hookah parlour a number of registrations, permits and licenses ("License") are required to be obtained from different government authorities under various central and state acts and rules and prescribed fees would have to be paid at the time of obtaining such License. Further, each License may also prescribe certain conditions which would have to be complied with. Some of the main Licenses that would be required are as follows: (i) Licenses under the BMC Act from the Municipal Corporation of Mumbai (ii) Registration under the Bombay Shops & Establishment Act (iii) Registration and license under Bombay Police Act (iv) Excise and VAT registrations (v) Labour registrations and licenses for staff. This would depend on number and category of staff. (vi) license under pollution control laws (vii) food licenses (viii) NOC/license from fire department (ix) license for playing music in the restaurant Please note that these are some of Licenses that are required. A more comprehensive list would require more details of what you propose to do.

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