Culture

Egypt attempts crackdown on shisha - Coke and smoke

by siebi | December 4, 2009 at 08:08 am

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Egypt is a country where smoking is cheap and often described as a "national habit". An Egyptian government crackdown on shisha, the popular flavored tobacco-filled water pipe, is facing resistance all over the country.

Egyptian authorities lately have issued an ultimatum to the owners of cafes in several cities across the country to stop offering shisha. Otherwise they will be fined heavily.

The crackdown comes as the government again tries to enforce a two-year-old law banning smoking in public areas.

Many men say NO ! to a total ban on shisha. They argue is part of their life style and also would it have a damaging effect on Egypt's vital tourism industry.

Coke and Smoke - „ (شيشه) , şişe ,नारीकेल , نرگيله , جوزة ,نرجيلة,“

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21484776@N00/3310702703/in/set-72157614974657036/

Smoking a Shisha (Arabic: شيشة‎) in a Hookah lounge مقهى

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21484776@N00/3307780025/in/set-72157614974657036/

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Waterpijp Hookah (not verified)

at 05:10 on March 2nd, 2010

I do not get this. Even in the Netherlands, where public smoking is prohibited, we are allowed to smoke Shisha in public. The reason for this is that most of the tabacco that is used, contains no nicotine. Thus, it can cause no harm to other people, which is the main reason for instating the prohibation in the first place. I've been to Egypt as well, and had a great time smoking Shisha, we had one which looked like this: waterpijp "Musa" In my opinion, the Shisha is part of the Egyptian culture. Also, it is an atraction for tourist, so the government would do well to keep the Shisha smoking allowed to maintain it's growth of european tourist coming to their country.