Toronto hookah ban comes into effect on Friday

It’s no April Fool’s joke. On Friday, Hookah smoking will officially be illegal in licenced establishments after city council voted in November to ban their use in Toronto.

But when it comes to offenders forking out fines, hookah bars and lounges will be off the hook until July.

That’s when the city says it will start issuing tickets, according to a report in Metro News.

In the meantime, the city will focus on educating establishments about the new rules and health hazards associated with the use of hookah pipes.

According to Metro, 42 hookah businesses across Toronto have been issued letters reminding them of the impending changes to the law, and some are already selling their pipes with an eye on reinventing their businesses.

City councillors voted 34-3 in favour of the ban after the city’s medical officer of health raised health concerns and said allowing hookah smoking sends the wrong message to youth.

“Using a hookah to smoke any substance poses health risks, such as heart and lung diseases, lung cancer and other respiratory problems to users and those exposed to second-hand smoke, including employees,” Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, said in a release brought forth to the Toronto Board of Health in June.

“Hookah smoking is on the rise among young people, who often mistakenly believe it is a safe form of smoking.”

Hookahs, often referred to as waterpipes, are used to smoke moist tobacco or non-tobacco herbal products (shisha), using charcoal to heat the substance.