Turkey Bans Hookah in Public Places

The Turkish government has banned an ancient tradition - the hookah or water pipe in public places.

As of Sunday it is no longer permitted to smoke the "hubbly-bubbly" in cafes, bars or restaurants as the conservative Islamic government cracks down on use of tobacco.

Illegal Hookah Bars in Delhi to Face Action, Court Assured
Civic agencies in the national capital assured the Delhi High Court that action will be taken against illegal Hookah bars in city restaurants.

In 2009 the government made it illegal to smoke in public places, but only barred use of the hookah by minors, and cafes continued to offer fruity tobacco mixes in water pipes, drawing the wrath of health authorities.

The hookah, or narghile, was very popular under the Ottoman Empire but was eclipsed by the new-fangled cigarettes under the Turkish Republic from 1923.

In recent years it has regained its popularity in big cities.

Hookah as Harmful as Cigarettes, Say Researchers
People who smoke both cigarettes and waterpipes are at considerable risk for dependence and tobacco-related diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and stroke later in life, say researchers.

Health experts warn that its fruity flavours make users forget that they are in fact inhaling tobacco, and say that since the smoke lasts longer than a cigarette it is even more dangerous.

Source-AFP

College Women Hooked to the Hookah in The United States
A recent study conducted in The US has outlined that one out of four college women in the US are loving the hookah and also believe that they are much safe than cigarettes.

Hookah Fad, Seriously Bad
Return of the hookah traverse from village gatherings to enticing in lavish joints in metros, the hookah in social space is raising a health alarm.