Abu Dhabi stops issuing licence for new shisha cafes

Abu Dhabi: In a bid to protect public health the Abu Dhabi Government has stopped issuing licences for new shisha cafes in the emirate, Gulf News has learnt.

The Department of Economy of the Abu Dhabi Government has not issued any licences for new shisha cafes for the past two years, an official said.

He said the government had been restricting shisha cafes in the interest of public health. A strict mechanism has been put in place to stop the unauthorised serving of shisha in cafes and restaurants. "People applying for a licence for a new coffee shop have to give an undertaking that shisha will not be served in the shops", said the official.

A senior official from Abu Dhabi Municipality confirmed that new shisha cafes were not permitted in the city.

"Among about 300 shisha cafes in the emirate, we are planning to isolate or move the ones in residential areas", said Omar Mohammad Al Hashemi, Head of the City Image Management Section of Abu Dhabi Municipality.

"There are about 150 regulations that govern shisha cafes with outside sitting arrangements which come under our purview," he said

Important among these are that the entrance must be away from mosques and outdoor seating arrangements must not obstruct the public. Fine of up to Dh5,000 is imposed on violators.

Inspections

The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) told Gulf News they inspect shisha cafes to ensure regulations regarding the space, food and air circulation facilities are being adhered to.

"A shisha cafe must have at least 40 square metres space with enough exhaust fans and a two-metre long chimney on the roof," said Mohammad Jalal Al Reyaysa, Manager of the Communication and Information Department at ADFCA.

"We check the health certificates of the people working in the food section and violations are strictly dealt with," said Al Reyaysa.

Shisha cafe owners are disappointed with the ban. Mamoon Madi , a Jordanian who runs Dot com cafe on Electra Street said the demand in the city for new shisha cafes was great.

"Shisha is getting more popular and the number of shisha smokers is increasing," said Madi who also runs a shisha cafe in Al Ain.

Madi added his cafe does not allow teenagers to smoke shisha.

Some shisha smokers said they did not mind the ban on new cafes.

"I don't mind the ban on new ones as there are enough shisha cafes in the city," said Mohannad Ali,27, an electronic engineer who has been smoking shisha for the past three years.

He said he spends his leisure time at shisha cafes where he meets his friends. Ali said he does not have any physical problems from smoking shisha.

"No one I know has health problems," said Ali.