Tobacco News

Shisha smoking is spreading among youth in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Shisha, traditionally known as ‘hookah’ was considered to be an integral part of rural areas of South Asia.

While latest Shisha means flavoured water pipe smoking. Different ‘Shisha Cafés’ offer a mixture of crude types of tobacco fermented with molasses and fruits and the sweet odour of fruits conceals the natural smell of tobaccos tar and nicotine. Ream more »

Sheesha smoking is on the rise in Rawalpindi and Islamabad and the restaurant owners offering this unhealthy activity are minting money by intoducing various tasty flavours.

Both boys and girls wrongly believe that sheesha smoking is not harmful to their health and keep on enjoying it, says Dr Shahnaz Hameed, General Secretary Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH).
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If you see me with a Cheshire cat smile on my face it’s because I have a little secret. You see, the only thing that makes me happier than having a little secret is sharing my little secret.

That’s why I was so excited to try out the Firefly Shisha Bar on Ellice Avenue; not only was it not very well-known, but it felt a little dangerous and if I may say so, slightly illicit for a suburban Mom. Truth is, I am not a stranger to the hookah; Ream more »

“I think Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland popularized the term ‘hookah’ for water pipe,” began Sevel. “Technically, hookahs are used in India as pipes for opium and hashish. The tobacco pipes we use here are known in Egypt as shisha pipes.” (Hookah smoking began in Turkey about 400 years ago and quickly spread to Egypt and from there to the rest of the world.) But, thanks to Alice, most places in the U.S. use the incorrect term.
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THE impending State Government ban on the sale of bongs will not include hookah pipes because of cultural reasons, after consultation with members of Melbourne’s Arabic community.
The exemption has been criticised by anti-smoking groups, who argue that all cultural groups should be entitled to a safe, smoke-free environment.
A Bailleau Government spokesman confirmed that Hookah pipes – also known as shisha, narghile or goza – would still be available, although there will be restrictions on their display. Ream more »

An arrest warrant has been issued for 36-year-old Eddy Rodriguez in connection with a fatal stabbing at a hookah lounge earlier this month.

Metro Police said Rodriguez should be considered armed and dangerous. He has been known to carry a four-inch pocket knife, according to an arrest warrant. Rodriguez allegedly stabbed to death 49-year-old Frank Almenares, who also went by the name Francisco Rodriguez, Aug. 13 at the Layalina Hookah Lounge in the 6800 block of West Spring Mountain Road. Ream more »

There are many different schools of thought on how exactly one should smoke a Hookah, Shisha or Narghile, many of them are correct all at the same time. Here are some steps for properly setting up a hookah to receive the most pleasurable smoking experience. Try experimenting with your own process, not all hookahs are exactly the same, with varying sizes and use of material, so find something that works for you.
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With Downey’s landscape growing rapidly, the introduction of a whole new genre of youth culture has been introduced to the city that’s raising many questions – hookah bars.

The city of Downey now has two hookah bars that have opened within the past few months – Mosaik Hookah Lounge and the Hookah Time Café – increasing the allure of the mysterious activity for Downey and its surrounding cities’ citizens. Ream more »

Layne Cronin’s idea of relaxation is one imported from the Middle East: smoking flavored tobacco from an elaborate water pipe at a hookah lounge.
Once only found in urban areas and ethnic enclaves, the social practice has slowly been embraced in the suburbs. “The atmosphere is really relaxing after a day of work,” said Cronin, 24, of Sayreville. “You just hang out and chill with people.”
Since discovering hookah lounges three years ago — and they are all over New Jersey these days — Cronin experiments with different tobacco flavors a few times a week. Ream more »

Hookah parlours in the city have urged the state government to give them a chance to operate, saying they would be strict on age restrictions andin enforcing entry norms.
The appeal comes after the Madras high court on Tuesday directed the government to take measures to regulate the hookah bars.Justice V Dhanapalan said officials should either prohibit them from functioning or permit them with stringent conditions as per the Chennai City Municipal andCorporation Act.
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