The Association of Entertainment Businesses (ASECEDI) has placed an appeal against Law 16-19 that forbade the use of hookahs. The association that represents owners of hookah lounges says the law is discriminatory. They allege there are 15,000 to 16,000 bars where at least three patrons use the hookahs in each. That is 48,000 people that will be affected by this law, they argue. They also say thousands will lose their jobs.
Law 16-19 prohibits the use of the hookah in public and private areas throughout the country in closed spaces and in vehicles used for passenger transport. The fine for breaking the law is five to ten minimum salaries for those owners of establishments where the hookah is used. The consumers can also be fined.
Hookah business owner Farid Chalhoud criticized recent confiscations of hookahs for sale in stores. He said that while the new law bans the use of hookahs in closed public and private places or in vehicles for the transport of passengers, there is nothing against a person smoking hookah from his own balcony or back yard with friends.
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Hoy
13 March 2019