• A Hookah is a water pipe that originated in sixteenth century India and is also referred to as Shisha, Nargile, “Hubble Bubble”, Nag, or Turkish water pipe. The hookah is a glass or metal water-pipe usually highly decorated and shaped somewhat like a bottle or small tank with a long, flexible cord pipe. In most hookahs, hot charcoal is placed on top of the tobacco to heat it. Transcultural Tobacco-2003

• The tobacco smoked in hookah pipes is often fruit flavored such as apple, strawberry, cola and a variety of other flavors, including spiced or molasses-based. Hookah tobacco is purchased in blocks, ranging in price from $6.00-$12.00 or squares from $2.00-$4.00.

• Hookah tobacco contains the same chemicals found in all tobacco including nicotine. AND hookah smoke contains the same cancer-causing particulates found in secondhand smoke. In addition, the charcoal used in the tobacco heating process produces carbon monoxide, a toxin.

The use of hookah pipes is not a safe alternative to cigarette smoking. Smoking hookah pipes has been reported to cause oral, esophageal and lung cancer as well as heart disease, chronic bronchitis and of course, nicotine addiction.- Diana Bonta, Director, California Department of Health Services-July 21, 2003.

• Some hookah lounge owners are not familiar with the California Smoke-Free Workplace Law also known as Labor Code 6404.5 . Hookah smoking is subject to the indoor smoking ban found in LC 6404.5. Therefore, hookah pipes must be smoked outside.

• The sale of hookah tobacco by an establishment that also serves food or beverage does not qualify that restaurant or lounge as a retail tobacco shop under LC6404.5. Therefore, hookah pipes must be smoked outside at such establishments.

• Under California state law, smoking of tobacco -- in any form, flavored or unflavored, in a water pipe or in a cigarette or cigar -- is not allowed in indoor workplaces. California Labor Code 6404.5

• The sale of tobacco -- in any form, blocks, squares, cigarettes or cigars, flavored or unflavored -- to minors under the age of 18 is illegal. California Penal Code 308 (a).

BREATH – THE CALIFORNIA SMOKE-FREE BAR PROGRAM

A Statewide Project of the American Lung Association of the East Bay

5495 Carlson Drive, Suite 'D' Sacramento CA 95819

Phone: (916) 739-8925 Fax: (916) 739-8927 E-Mail: breath@jps.net