Traditionally, we think of cigarettes when we think of smoking, but smoking bans are a threat to banish any kind of smoking in public places. Should hookahs be considered when smoking bans are passed? With smoking bans on the rise, the question becomes how different are hookahs from the fast smoking, easy to find cigarette? Inside hookah would like to explore the way the unique relationship between tobacco bans and cigarettes versus hookahs.

Health Concerns

There are over 700 additives and 4,000 different chemicals found in cigarette smoke. According to the Surgeon General’s report in 1990, at least 43 of the 4,000 chemicals are carcinogens. In addition, it is a widely accepted fact that exposure to cigarette smoke (both first hand and second hand) has negative health consequences.

The Match Up:

Cigarettes:

• Although cigarettes are smoked by many, due to the aforementioned additives, they are unfair act, when smokers are mixed with non-smokers.

Hookahs:

• The tobacco used for hookahs, shisha, doesn’t contain many of the additives manufactured into cigarette tobacco.

While many enjoy smoking while drinking an alcoholic beverage or cocktail, the concern for non-smoking patrons at mixed establishments (businesses catering to non-smokers and smokers) is the exposure to these negative health risks, without any apparent control. Those who frequent hookah lounges are exposing themselves to smoke by choice, and are surrounded by fellow choosers. As a result, the issue of “involuntary smoking” is no longer a concern when it comes to hookah lounges. However, another popular hookah concept is the mixture between a café/restaurant and smoking lounge. This combo bodes the same problem that a bar/restaurant now faces.

Economics

Tobacco is not a new cash cow. Before tobacco in Europe, the fledgling United States built a treasure chest from exporting this brown oil, picked fresh from the backs of slaves and grown on sprawling plantations all across the southern states of the United States throughout the 1700’s and even up through the middle of the 1800’s. Today, tobacco is still grown in about 21 states, with Kentucky and North Carolina producing about 2/3 of the US produced tobacco in 2002. In 2001 the federal government collected $7.221 billion in excise tax revenue, and will receive an estimated $7.643 billion over the fiscal year of 2006. An imported leaf of tobacco will be at least 3 times before reaching the hand of the consumer (not including sales tax). Considering that this revenue is only a measure of the funds skimmed for the federal government, which do not include state revenues, and that taxes compose approximately 40% of the price of a pack of cigarettes, it is easy to assert that the tobacco industry is a trillion dollar industry and a major part of the United States' economy.

Cigarettes:

• It seems that for every smoker there are at least two health conscientious non-smokers. While smokers may choose not to frequent a certain establishment or even live in a certain city or state due to smoking bans, non-smokers appear to be off-setting smokers’ lack of patronage.

Hookahs:

• The clientele attracted to most hookah lounges frequent the establishment specifically in the interest of smoking. As a result, smoking bans could put lounges out of business, if not provided with amnesty.

Alternatives to Smoking Bans

While the desire to protect non-smokers from exposure to second hand smoke, or at the least give non-smokers control over their exposure, is a noble effort there is always more than one way to skin a cat. Is it possible that alternatives to smoking bans could achieve the same desired effect without banishing smokers to their homes? Consider the following:

• Requiring establishments to provide sheltered and heated outdoor smoking areas within reasonable distance of the facility. This would accommodate both smokers and non-smokers with out having to create separate establishments.

• Government issued permits for smoking only facilities, which non-smokers can patronize at their own will. This alternative allows smokers to enjoy smoking with other smokers, without infringing upon the rights of non-smokers.

• Financial incentives for establishments who voluntarily choose to be smoke-free environments.

While the above recommendations may not solve the rapidly spreading question of whether or not to jump on board the smoking ban express, they certainly demonstrate alternative approaches: Alternative approaches that should be considered before condemning the lifestyle of either a smoker or non-smoker with a smoking ban.