In New York, the hookah cafes revoke licenses for violations

The owners and employees of 13 New York cafes and bars, offering visitors, among other things, smoking hookahs, are having a difficult time. It is likely that the institutions will soon be closed at the request of the authorities. Health officials discovered tobacco in the blend that these establishments use. Meanwhile, smoking tobacco in New York bars and restaurants is strictly forbidden since 2002.

For hookahs, the so-called shisha is used - a wet mixture of herbs, fruit pulp, spices and tobacco. However, in New York, smoking in public places is prohibited, and hookah cafes can exist only under one condition: if there is no tobacco in the mixture used to fill hookahs.

Not for many years, hookah establishments worked without any problems, and the composition of shishi was checked only from time to time. Recently, however, officials from the New York Department of Health decided to conduct a secret examination of the mixtures used in hookahs.

Students at New York University, who helped the authorities in the study, visited institutions, ordered a hookah, and sneaked a sample of shishi. Later, laboratory tests showed that samples from all 13 institutions studied contained tobacco. Such data Department of Health published last week.

“These 13 establishments are defying our laws by simply ignoring them,” said Mary Bassett, head of the New York City Department of Health. “We will not tolerate disrespect for the law that states that all public spaces in the city must be smoke-free.” We will take strict action against these businesses soon.”

The department has already begun the process of revoking licenses from the oil bars seen in the sale of tobacco products.