Smoking in restaurants may not be permitted in Alberta, but smoking through water pipes in hookah bars is. While it’s a grey area, the practice is considered legal because the sheesha that’s smoked doesn’t actually contain tobacco. But there’s growing evidence that it’s still just as bad as smoking cigarettes. And now both Alberta Health and parents are questioning why hookah bars should be allowed to operate.
“My initial reaction was just, how is this possible? it’s smoking. she’s not allowed to. she’s 15,” says Therese Shappka, who found out a few days ago that her daughter was frequenting hookah bars.
“I wonder if the kids knew the dangers involved in this, if they were properly educated, if they’d still be making the same choices,” she adds.
Get daily National news
Alberta Health says waterpipe smoking – a practice that is addictive and linked to higher rates of cancer – is increasingly popular among youth. While supporters say the practise is cultural in nature and should be allowed, Alberta Health disagrees.
“You have the right to engage in whatever cultural practice you want to engage in in the privacy of your own home. but if it’s a public place….we believe that people have the right not to be exposed to carcinogens,” says Dr. James Talbot, the senior medical officer of health.
Restaurant owner Joseph Rustom added waterpipe smoking to his business two years ago to keep up with competitors. Unlike many establishments, though, he only allows it after 9 p.m. and never to minors without permission from their parents. He says that he would be in favour of having it banned, but knows that many in his position wouldn’t.
“A lot of establishments are going to be very, very, very upset – a lot. Right across Alberta.”
Mothers like Shappka, however, believe keeping youth safe is more important.
Alberta Health is conducting a survey this summer to get a better idea of how many people are actively involved in waterpipe smoking and how old they typically are. Officials are also recommending that the province amend the Tobacco Reduction Act to ban water pipe smoking in public places. That’s something that would have to be voted on by MLAs in a process that those who are opposed to the practice hope will take months, rather than years.
With files from Ross Neitz, Global News
Comments