California lawmakers retreat on hookah ban citing 'Middle East cultural tradition

[Lexy]

As the flavored e-cigarette debate gains momentum with the CDC urging the public to stop vaping, attempts to ban flavored tobacco in California have died in the legislature.

One of the critical killing points? Concern over impeding a Middle East tradition, lawmakers say.

In the state Senate in May, a flavored-tobacco ban was advancing toward the Senate floor but only after it was amended to exclude hookah products.

Hookah, sometimes called shisha or nargila or argila, is tobacco smoked through a large water pipe and popular in some Middle Eastern cafes across the country. It is sold in a wide array of flavors ranging from watermelon and apple to chocolate-mint and coconut.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/califo ... -tradition

[Della]

And?

[ReadingRainbow]

I used to go to this Hookah bar on Ventura Avenue that was awesome.

[Deleted User 276]

I have a hookah! What a silly ban in the first place.

[Deleted User 1393]

It won't be banned because muslims use it? what

[Lemons]

Hookah bars are popular in NYC. They should be excluded from a ban because you can’t enter the bar unless you’re a 21year old adult or older.

[Momto2boys973]

Nargilas are quite popular in middle eastern restaurants here.

[Lexy]

Hookah bars are popular in NYC. They should be excluded from a ban because you can’t enter the bar unless you’re a 21year old adult or older.

A hookah smoker is exposed to charcoal smoke and tobacco smoke why is an ecig and cigarettes banned in bars?

[AnonXxdarkfoxx1]

Hookah bars are popular in NYC. They should be excluded from a ban because you can’t enter the bar unless you’re a 21year old adult or older.

A hookah smoker is exposed to charcoal smoke and tobacco smoke why is an ecig and cigarettes banned in bars?

Really? You don't know the difference between a bar and a hookah bar? Ffs

[Lexy]

Hookah bars are popular in NYC. They should be excluded from a ban because you can’t enter the bar unless you’re a 21year old adult or older.

A hookah smoker is exposed to charcoal smoke and tobacco smoke why is an ecig and cigarettes banned in bars?

Really? You don't know the difference between a bar and a hookah bar? Ffs

Under the Smoke Free Air Act, smoking is illegal in most indoor places, including bars, restaurants, clubs, offices, and many other public areas in NYC

I am trying to understand how you can ban one and not the other. Hookah smoke poses dangers associated with secondhand smoke just as a cigarette does.