AMMAN
— Many citizens are complaining about the increasing presence of hookah cafes near
residential neighborhoods, causing inconveniences and health problems due to
second-hand smoking.
اضافة اعلان
These
cafes are mainly located in Amman in active neighborhoods such as
Rainbow Street, the University of Jordan, Mecca Street, Tla'a Al-Ali, and others.
Health
experts pointed out that the presence of these cafes poses an unnecessary risk
to residents who are not smokers, as secondhand smoke can cause damage to the
heart and lungs.
‘Serious
health problems’
Secretary
of the Tobacco Free Jordan Association, Larissa Al-Uar, said the association
has recently received many complaints from citizens in residential areas
regarding the rampant spread of cafes that offer hookah without oversight.
The association has recently received many complaints from citizens in residential areas regarding the rampant spread of cafes that offer hookah without oversight.
Uar said
that when people with respiratory or
chronic diseases, children, and the
elderly are exposed to secondhand smoke, it causes “serious health problems”.
The
association proposes that cafes that offer hookah be required to move away from
residential neighborhoods, to reduce health risks and the inconvenience caused by
overcrowding at these cafes.
What
does the law say?Public
health laws and regulations of the
Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) regulate
the process of licensing cafes, coffee shops, and tourist restaurants that
offer hookah to customers. These regulations include conditions prohibiting
smoking in public places.
Some establishments can receive licenses for tourist restaurants in residential areas, but permits for serving hookah are much more difficult to come by.
Public
health laws impose penalties on those who smoke in public places, including
imprisonment for a period ranging from one week to six months or fines ranging
from JD15 to JD1,000, depending on the place of smoking, such as cafes,
schools, or nurseries.
Municipality
measuresGAM’s
deputy director for health and agricultural affairs, Dr Mervat Al-Mhairat, said
some establishments can receive licenses for tourist restaurants in residential
areas, but permits for serving
hookah are much more difficult to come by.
The municipality,
she said, will take measures against any facility that does not comply with
Jordan’s regulations and laws, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.
Mhairat
noted that GAM is working on issuing new instructions this year to limit violations
because of many establishments’ failure to comply with the conditions for
serving hookah.
Read more National news
Jordan News
.jpg)
.jpg)
