UAE | General
Shisha enthusiasts in Dubai smoked out
Shisha cafe owners say they are losing customers because of the new Dubai Municipality anti-smoking rules.
- By Alice Johnsonm Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:29 July 11, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- Cafes have been fined Dh5,000 to Dh10,000 for not complying with requirements, since the rule came into effect in 2007. Photo for illustrative purposes.
Dubai: Shisha cafe owners say they are losing customers because of the new Dubai Municipality anti-smoking rules.
Cafes of less than 1,500 sqft have been ordered to move to bigger premises by the yearend, and those in residential areas are not allowed to serve shisha outside.
One Karama cafe says it has been given two months to move the shisha smokers inside.
Unemployment
One Emirati customer, who travels more than 45km to smoke shisha three times a day in Dubai, and wishes to remain anonymous, said: "They should close the main companies for smoking, not the small places. Where will these workers go for a job? They will have to go home. These small owners will lose their money and their jobs."
"A lot of places will close down because they can't afford to move to bigger places; they should be given compensation, because they will lose their money and live on the streets," he said.
Small areas
Some small shisha cafes in Karama have main seating areas outside, and cannot move customers inside. They have been asked to move to bigger premises by the municipality or face closure.
Salem Bin Mesmar, Assistant Director General at the municipality, said: "Shisha places with no regulations will close down, and ones in residential areas are being asked to move. They have the right to shift to another area, this is reasonable.
"In residential areas people are really bothered by the smoke, smell and noise of people sitting there until 1 or 2 o' clock in the morning. I can't comment on compensation."
One Shaikh Zayed Road shisha cafe manager, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the shop was ordered to move smokers inside by July 1.
"Business is bad and customers are complaining. I have two floors and the building is a mix of commercial and residential [units], so now we have to have the shisha inside," he said.
Another Emirati shisha smoker who would not give his name, said: "They cannot ban shisha outright.
"People smoke shisha and talk about social things; they talk about work and play cards, so if it is banned they will stay in their flats.
"If it is banned totally it will lead to other things, because people always want things if they can't have them."
A total of 25 restaurants and cafes have been fined Dh5,000 to Dh10,000 for not complying with the requirements, since the regulations were introduced on November 15, 2007.
Mesmar said: "We are not banning smoking, but regulating it. It's okay to have shisha, but there are rules for organising this business in Dubai."
Are you a shisha enthusiast? Do you agree with the new regulation? Will you still frequent your regular shisha cafe if you are unable to smoke outdoors?
Latest news
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Mirror, mirror show me the way
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
- Police's secret source scheme reaps rewards
- Cyber infidelity creeping out of virtual domain
- No sweat! Book a taxi while on Metro
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
