In Jordan, the proliferation of hookah bars is harming the health and tranquility of local residents

In Amman, Jordan, the uncontrolled growth of hookah bars and the use of hookahs in cafes and restaurants is exposing local residents to secondhand smoke and various nuisances. Municipal authorities promise to better enforce the law banning smoking in public places.

Larissa Al-Uar, secretary of the Tobacco Free Jordan Association, has observed that more and more residents of various neighborhoods in Amman are complaining of being poisoned by the smoke from the hookah bars located below their homes.

The proliferation of this type of establishment in the busiest areas of the city is accompanied not only by noise pollution, but also by significant quantities of smoke entering homes.[1]Children, the elderly and people suffering from respiratory illnesses are thus directly exposed to second-hand smoke in their homes, without being able to do anything about it.

Establishments are often in double violation

In addition to hookah bars, cafes and restaurants also offer hookahs to their customers. This service should normally require a license, but it is difficult to obtain, and most establishments violate this regulation.

Furthermore, these establishments are doubly illegal, since smoking is also prohibited in public places in Jordan, under penalty of sanctions. Fines of 15 to 1,000 Jordanian dinars (or 19 to 1,280 euros) and prison sentences of one week to six months can be imposed in the event of an offense, the severity of the penalty depending on the location of the offense (café, school, daycare, etc.). However, this legislation appears to be poorly enforced.

Jordanian local authorities promise to improve law enforcement

Following numerous complaints, the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has promised to address these issues and better enforce the law, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health. Dr. Mervat Al-Mhairat, GAM's Deputy Director of Health and Agricultural Affairs, indicated that new instructions would soon be issued to facility managers, urging them to comply with the law.

Jordan is the country the biggest smoker in the world, where eight out of ten men are smokers. It is also the second country most affected by interference of the tobacco industry, according to the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index[2]It can be assumed that the lack of controls in shisha bars or cafes, whether it is a smoking ban or licenses to offer shisha, is the result of too much tolerance for tobacco and the many infractions committed but not punished.

Keywords: Jordan, hookah, secondhand smoke, local residents.

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[1] Citizens complain of health risks from hookah cafes in residential areas, Jordan News, published April 23, 2023, accessed April 28, 2023.

[2] STOP, Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2021.

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