Hookah use banned in Toronto starting April 1

Toronto city councilhas voted 34-3to ban the use of hookah inside licensed establishments.

The move will take effect April 1and willapply to anylicensed and unlicensed establishments that allow "hookah use."

"Smoking is smoking," Coun.CesarPalacio, who voted in favour of the ban, told council.

In Vancouver, the whole city is smoking.- Coun.Giorgio Mammoliti

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Justthreecouncillorsvoted against the ban."In Vancouver, the whole city is smoking," said Coun.GiorgioMammoliti.

Coun.JimKarygiannis moved a motion,proposinga new "hookah lounge" categorythat would permit licensed establishments to sellonly non-tobacco products.

Under the proposal,only those 19 years of age or overwould be allowed into the lounges and owners would be required to postsigns statingthe harmful effects of hookah smoking.

Food and liquor would also not be allowed. Instead, only coffee, tea, and juice could be served.

Owners would also be required to pay a specific business licence fee in order tooperate the establishments.

Hookahs orwaterpipesare used to smoke tobacco and other herbal products. Also known asshisha, hookah smokingisespecially popular among people from Middle Eastern and North African countries.

In May, the city's board of health recommended hookah be banned from licensed establishments, following a Toronto Public Health report thatargued the practice"poses health risks, such as heart and lung diseases, lung cancer and other respiratory problems."

In May,Toronto's medical officer of health DavidMcKeown, suggested hookah smoking is especially dangerous for young people who may be underthe mistaken impression that it is a relativelysaferform of smoking than cigarettes.

Hookah loungeownersargue theban would be discriminatory to particular communities among whom the practice is popular.