User:Landrelczyk/Hookah Lounge Exemptions and Restrictions

Hookah lounges have increased in popularity over the last few years among United States youth. Hookahs are water pipes used to smoke flavored tobacco, otherwise called shisha or Mu‘assel. Hookah use has increased dramatically among United States youth in recent years because of the social atmosphere it creates, and because many young adults believe hookah is a safer alternative to cigarette smoking.

Exemption from Smoke-Free Laws
Although many states have placed a ban on indoor smoking through Smoke-Free Laws, or smoking bans, places where the primary sales come from tobacco products are exempt from these bans. These places include hookah lounges and smoke shops. Because of this, in order to remain open, many hookah lounges cannot sell food or beverages. Approximately 90% of the cities that have put a ban on smoking in public places have exemptions for hookah lounges. The cities with these kinds of exemptions, typically, have more dense populations.

Public Health Concerns
Because hookah lounges are exempt from the smoking bans, and because the hookah trend is increasing at a high rate among youth, many believe it is becoming a public health concern. Many believe hookah users do not fully understand the health risks that come along with it. Common beliefs include hookah not containing the same chemicals found in cigarettes, it is safer because it is not smoked as often, it is non-addictive, and because the tobacco is filtered with water, the carcinogens are filtered out. For this reason, many cities want to create tougher restrictions for hookah lounges, and some want them shut down altogether.