Dubai: Authorities in Dubai have denied the latest rumour circulating about a new disease brought about by smoking shisha in restaurants and coffee shops.
The false allegations, which spread across social networking sites in the UAE, claimed that inhaling shisha would affect smokers with SOL disease.
SOL stands for Space-Occupying Lesion of the brain, usually due to malignant tumours but it can also be caused by an abscess.
ALSO READ:
• Video of children smoking shisha sparks anger in Egypt
• Most of shisha users start habit from families
• 27 people die from tobacco-relates diseases in UAE each week
A source at Dubai Municipality however, clarified that there is no basis for a disease called SOL, and stressed that the messages circulating on WhatsApp and other social media accounts are completely false and baseless.
The official warned that all forms of tobacco are harmful and is responsible for a number of diseases, including respiratory tract infections and cancer.
Cigarette smokers typically take eight to 12 puffs over five to seven minutes, inhaling a total of 0.5 to 0.6 of a litre of smoke.
In contrast, shisha sessions typically last 20-80 minutes, during which the smoker may take 50-20 puffs which each range from 0.15 to one litre.
Dubai Municipality has taken a number of stringent measures to ensure the health and safety of the public.
In 2015, the municipality's Public Health and Safety Department made it mandatory for coffee shops and restaurants to use disposable pipes instead of traditional shisha hoses.
Clarify rumours
The public can verify rumours with Dubai Municipality by contacting the call centre on 800900 or through WhatsApp on +971 50 1077799.
