AN end is being sought to the practice of serving sheeshas to smokers in their cars while being accompanied by family members including minors.
MPs and municipal councillors also claim that underage smokers were being served in cars so that they don’t get caught during inspections or raids.
The legal smoking age is 18 in Bahrain.
The public representatives have also alleged that couples were using these unauthorised ‘drive-in’ sheesha services to smoke the traditional pipes while engaging in sex in their cars.
The government is also being urged to investigate incidents in which illegal street vendors selling sheesha to customers gathered in car parks and walkways across Bahrain.
The expatriates reportedly operate from pick-ups parked outside public parks, gardens and popular commercial districts in Hamala, Hoora, Budaiya and Muharraq from evening until the early hours of the morning.
MPs and councillors have urged the Cabinet to take tough action against all violators in a bid to clear the market and the community from such improper practices.
“Sheesha should be served inside cafés, or within a small distance outside, and customers should provide identification confirming they are 18 years old and above,” said Parliament services committee chairman Ahmed Al Ansari.
“Sheesha can’t be served outside the outlet for obvious reasons, like safety, security and health-related to ventilation, hygiene and other requirements,” he added.
Hazard
“If sheesha is served to customers in cars, staff mostly don’t ask for identification or care about who is getting the puff, while obviously not caring about other passengers, including children.”
“At the same time it could be dangerous since the car could catch fire. Many balance the pipes on bricks so they can reach them if they are in four-wheel drives.
“What we are trying to clamp down on is serious and has potential hazards, not just for children being served or forced to inhale second-hand smoke.”
Meanwhile, Mr Al Ansari claimed women were seen sitting on men’s laps as they kissed in cars outside cafés while sharing a sheesha.
“Most of the young men smoke sheesha and then share a smoky kiss with their partners,” he said.
“In one case, which was not funny, charcoal dropped inside the car but the couple continued. In another incident, two gay men were seen sharing smoky kisses.
It is not the first time that the illegal business has been under the spotlight, with the Northern Municipal Council demanding action in 2016.
Authorities could only take action if offenders were caught red-handed.
Council chairman Ahmed Al Kooheji, who is an avid anti-smoking campaigner, said the crackdown aimed to reduce the offences and acknowledged it could take more serious action to eradicate the practice.
“Most of these customers, especially women, want to smoke sheesha in their cars since most cafés in commercial districts are male-oriented, while others just want to have intimate time with their girlfriends or boyfriends,” he said.
“More than a decade ago sheesha cafés operated in public gardens, walkways and parks but their contracts were terminated and they were all evicted.
“However, many people continue smoking outside being served by roving vendors who set up chairs and seating in car parks to offer them sheesha.
“The issue will be never resolved as other groups or roving vendors will replace them even the current lot are caught.”
Meanwhile, Southern Municipal Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi said there is a reason why sheesha licences are being issued under strict conditions.
“Smoking should be confined to the specific shop boundaries that fulfil all municipal, technical, and commercial and health requirements and standards,” he added.
“As for serving sheesha in cars, it is a dangerous practice that needs to stop for the sake of those in the vehicle and their companions; children are often seen coughing due to the smoke.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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