London: For many, the only thought given to the impending smoking ban that will be implemented in England on Sunday is the stubbing out of cigarettes. However, the Arab population of the capital is preparing for the worst as the ban will put out the smoke of pipes in the numerous shisha cafes that line London's Arab quarter.
Cafe regulars will soon have to refrain from enjoying a smoke on a shisha, as England becomes one of over 35 countries across the world to employ a smoking ban, preventing people from smoking all kinds of cigarettes and pipes in enclosed public spaces.
Many Muslims across England are facing the fact that they will become exiles from the Middle Eastern cafes that offer them a taste of home.
Rizwan Hussain, a Muslim who frequents a shisha café on the city's Edgware Road said, "It's going to take a big part of my social life away. I don't do pubs and this was an alternative."
Spain, Italy, Iran, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, South Africa, Uruguay and New Zealand have legislated to restrict smoking, while France will ban smoking in many public places from February.
Your comments
I am happy to know that there are a lot of smoke-free countries.
Sameer
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 30, 2007, 08:55
I wish they ban smoking all over the world. It is clearly just a waste of time and is also damaging to our health.
Yousuf
Al Khobar,Saudi Arabia
Posted: June 30, 2007, 08:54
Well done, UK!. It is definitely not healthy to be smoking shishas. Arab countries should also start implementing a ban on smoking.
From a reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 30, 2007, 08:52
While smoking shisha is not healthy, it should not be banned in shisha cafes. Anyone going into a shisha cafe knows there will be shisha. That's the main point of it. It is not like going into a café where you are served food and smoking there may affect others.
Mohamed
London,UK
Posted: June 30, 2007, 03:35
Shishas are no different to cigarettes. They are not healthy, those nearby have no option but to smoke even when they choose not to, and a drink with a cigarette is culturally the same as coffee and shisha. Stop moaning, it is good legislation. Nothing stops you and your friends smoking shisha at home.
Bruce
Leicester,UK
Posted: June 29, 2007, 16:55
