UK Smoking Ban

[Guest LondonShisha]

A bill is being put forward to Parliament for a ban of smoking in all public places in England. There is already a ban in Ireland so it was just a matter of time before they start to do the same over here. This means that no smoking will be allowed in any public place, including pubs + clubs, unless they don't serve any food.[b]What does this mean for the sheesha cafe?[/b]All might not be lost here, as 'private clubs' and pubs that don't serve food will be exempt from the ban. We may see our Sheesha joints become private members clubs, or have a separate restaurant and sheesha area, or just not serve food at all. Inevitably, the price of having sheesha will go up, as most of the cafe's make their money from the food/drink people order whilst smoking, so will have to make that money up in the cost of sheesha itself.Aren't there similar bans already in place in some states in the US?

[Lakemonster]

NYC and Kalifornia, from what I understand.

[Guest LondonShisha]

How'd the sheesha joints get around the ban?

[Smougman]

In NYC, my understanding was that if an establishment that could prove
that they were suffering a significant loss of customers or income due
to the smoking ban could apply for a permit that make them exempt.

Additionally there may have been a loophole like serving food in a seperate area or not serving it at all.

I'm aware of a few hookah lounges in NYC, so they got around it some way or another.

[tjt486]

Here in Florida there is supposed to be a ban against smoking in a
restaurant, and at the hookah lounge I go to I saw them send a guy
outside to smoke a cigarette.  I dont really understand why you
can smoke hookah but not a cigarette.

[jmexx]

There's a ban in Ontario already, that permits smoking in all public places. That includes bars and clubs etc. It's ridiculous, but whatever. That same law is coming here, in Montreal, by January. My local hookah shop owner told me that he's going to be one of the only places to allow smoking. So I don't think hookah lounges will be affected much. They may have to pay more in taxes, which will make the sessions more expensive... We'll see...Jon

[jmexx]

A note, I think hookahs do not count as smoking considering the little amount of nicotine, that it's not much of a hasard to second hand smokers as is cigarettes. Plus people who go to hookah lounges go there for the session, you won't find someone complaining how someone's smoking near you, EVERYONES DOING IT! . Too many babies out in the world complaining about the possible problems second hand smoking can give, meh.Jon

[[LB]]

that food and smoke thing doesent seem right. I go to a place every
time im in NYC and get a big ole falafel with a hookah. And every other
place i go to requires your to buy a drink with your hookah. kind of
off topic

How many of you pack a bowl in the morning? and does it wake you up well?

[[LB]]

i have detention tommorow morning at 6:00 am

[Soup]

In Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, there is a TOTAL smoking ban that prohibits smoking in ALL public places.  I checked out the city bylaw and there is no way around if for hookah lounges.  Kinda sucks cause it would have been great business to set up a lounge near the U of S.  I remember hearing somewhere that they actually have in the works to make it illegal to smoke in your own home.  It's probably a rumor, but scary nonetheless.

[ThermalZeal]

Hookah bars are already exempt from these types of smoking bans. 
The reason why is that their primary purpose in business is to provide
hookah's to smoke.  While the food may be good at the place, the
primary purpose of the establishment is the hookah.