A crackdown on sheesha cafés allowing children to smoke nicotine products on the premises is set to be implemented following concerns of a summer surge of bored teenagers taking up the habit.
Concerned councillors are convinced some business operators are ‘turning a blind eye’ to the issue and may even be set to cash in on young users in the coming months ahead.
Northern Municipal Council members have called for stricter monitoring and enforcement to protect minors from harmful practices. “We are seeing an alarming trend of school-aged children turning to sheesha cafés out of boredom or peer pressure,” said the council’s services and public utilities committee chairman Abdulla Al Thawadi
“This is not just a health issue – it’s a societal one that calls for urgent intervention.”
Led by Mr Thawadi, four councillors have formally urged the Health Ministry to intensify inspections on cafés and lounges suspected of serving underage customers.
Mr Al Thawadi expressed deep concern over reports from members of the public that pupils are using these establishments as ‘hangout spots’.
Under Bahraini law, smoking – including sheesha – is prohibited for anyone under the age of 18. However, councillors say enforcement remains inconsistent, with some cafés either failing to verify the age of young customers or deliberately turning a blind eye.
“The law is clear, and there should be zero tolerance,” Mr Al Thawadi added.
“We are calling on the Health Ministry to step up inspections, especially during the coming summer season when young people have more free time and are more vulnerable to risky behaviour.”
The councillors are also proposing a co-ordinated effort with the Interior, and Commerce and Industry Ministries to monitor establishments known to violate age restrictions and impose stricter penalties on repeat offenders.
“Protecting our young people requires joint action between all relevant authorities,” said Mr Al Thawadi. “We urge the Health Ministry to work hand-in-hand with local municipalities, commerce inspectors and the police to ensure that cafés strictly follow the rules.”
He also called on café owners to act responsibly and support community efforts to curb underage smoking. “This is not just about compliance – it’s about ethics,” Mr Al Thawadi stressed.
“We ask all business owners to do their part in safeguarding the health of our children and the future of our society.”
The councillors plan to formally submit their recommendations to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak to forward to Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed, including proposals for public awareness campaigns and expanded summer programmes for youth to provide safe and healthy alternatives to fill their free time.
“We are not just talking about isolated incidents,” Mr Al Thawadi warned. “This is a worrying pattern, particularly in areas where there is a lack of youth centres or supervised activities.
“For many teenagers, these cafés become a sanctuary from boredom, but the cost is high – both to their health and their future.
“This is not solely a public health matter – it’s also about community safety and the moral obligation we owe our younger generation,” he said.
“We want to see unannounced inspection sweeps, undercover compliance checks, and swift legal action where violations are found.”
Meanwhile, Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif described the growing number of children smoking sheesha in cafés and public spaces as ‘a serious public health concern that demands immediate action’.
“Protecting our children from the harmful effects of tobacco is not just a parental duty – it’s a societal responsibility. We must enforce stricter regulations to ensure that cafés and restaurants do not serve or permit minors to smoke.”
“There must be clear accountability. Establishments that allow children to smoke sheesha should face severe penalties, including closure. This is about the health and future of our youth.
“Bahrain has made strong progress in public health, but this issue threatens to undermine those gains. We will not allow our children to be exposed to lifelong health risks under the guise of social entertainment.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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