Egypt bans hookah smoking nearby mosques, schools

Egyptian authorities have decided that hookah smoking will now only be allowed in cafes or designated establishments located at least one kilometre from mosques, churches and educational institutions of all levels.

A government decree to this effect takes effect from December 11, TASS reported.

Egyptian authorities issued a circular stating that cafes and restaurants offering shisha, or shishu as Egyptians call it, must not only have a special license, but also "be located at least 1,000 meters away from places of worship, schools or other educational and training institutions, as well as petrol stations."

In addition, there are restrictions on the area that cafe owners have the right to allocate for hookah smoking, as well as special requirements for the ventilation of the room, air cleaning in the cafe, where customers order shisha. Hookah, under the new rules, must be prepared only in open areas, and charcoal for serving shisha must be stored in separate compartments protected from fire access. It is also forbidden to offer shisha in grocery shops and enclosed areas where large crowds gather.

Owners of Egyptian coffee shops and restaurants that are not licensed to smoke shisha and fail to comply with these regulations from December 11 will be fined, and their establishments could be closed altogether if there is a relapse.