Shisha smoking ban on the cards in Bahrain

By TARIQ KHONJI

MPs are working on a draft proposal to ban all shisha (hubble bubble) smoking in enclosed areas, including shopping malls.

One of the MPs working on the proposal, Mohammed Khalid Ebrahim, said that current smoking laws do not treat shisha smoking with the same strictness as they do to cigarette smoking.

The MPs hope to make an amendment to a 1994 law which bans smoking cigarettes in all public places, except special areas set aside for smokers.

"Current laws don't mention shisha smoking at all, so the coffee shops are not required to separate shisha smokers from non-smokers," said Mr Ebrahim.

He said the new draft proposal is likely to be even stricter on shishas and perhaps banning it completely from any public premises that is enclosed.

Mr Ebrahim says that shishas are more dangerous than cigarettes and that many families have complained to him that they are unable to enjoy their time at coffee shops because of all the shisha smoke.

"There is no place for non-smokers to escape to. It's especially bad on children, who are more at risk from second-hand smoke than adults," he continued.

Mr Ebrahim said laws may also be put in place to make sure that family sections at coffee shops are truly reserved for families.

"I've also received complaints from families that many unmarried couples use these family sections to meet and that they behave immorally in public," he said.

Mr Ebrahim called for closer monitoring of such activities at coffee shops.

He also said current anti-smoking laws governing the sale and smoking of cigarettes are also not being observed.

"The 1994 law states that smokers in public should be fined BD20 but when was the last time you heard of that happening?

"It also says that cigarettes shouldn't be sold to anyone under the age of 18. This clearly isn't practised by many shops."

He called on the Health Ministry to take more active measures to ensure that laws are enforced.

Fellow MP and Anti-Smoking Society head Dr Salah Ali would not comment on the draft proposal itself which he is not involved in but backed up Mr Ebrahim's claim that shishas are more dangerous than cigarettes.

"There is a strong myth among people in Bahrain that shishas are somehow safer than cigarettes," he said.

"This is not true. Shishas pose the same health threats as cigarettes do and studies have shown that in some cases they can be even more dangerous."

One shisha, said Dr Ali, can be equivalent to 20 cigarettes because they are smoked for a longer period of time.

"Shishas are also thought to be bigger causes of mouth and larynx cancer than cigarettes. Because shisha mouth pieces are re-used they can also help to spread viral diseases. "The second-hand smoke from both cigarettes and shishas are the same but with shishas there is also coal burning. This emits carbondioxide, which is also very dangerous to inhale."