Parliament bans hookahs in cafes without licences

CAIRO – 13 January 2019: Egyptian House of Representatives passed a bill on Sunday that bans serving hookahs in public stores that are intended to sell food and beverages and do not have a license to serve hookahs.

These commercial stores would have to pay LE 10000 to obtain a license to serve hookahs according to the passed bill. The bill obligates the store to allocate a specific spot to serve the hookah in order to protect the health of the non-smoker customers.

The shops intended to sell or supply food and beverages shall not be allowed to supply the hookah and other smoking tools except after obtaining a license in accordance with the special requirements and controls determined by the government,” reads the passed bill.