• Home
• /
• Letters

Residential areas shouldn't have shisha cafes

The Beach Mall at the JBR has shisha cafes near the beach.

This is in reference to the article, KT for Good: How UAE makes smokers go from '25 sticks to zero', (KT, Jan 28). I understand the intent and support various measures taken by the government to discourage people to smoke. Raising taxes and ensuring the packets have health warnings are good measures. However, there is another aspect that needs to be regulated: shisha cafes. It is surprising to see many such cafes in residential areas.

If you visit the Marina Promenade, you will see shisha cafes right next to children's play areas and the public walking areas. The Beach Mall at the JBR has shisha cafes near the beach. Children's play areas in the vicinity are never free of smoke that comes from shisha joints. I think the government should regulate the placement of shisha cafes too, if it is serious about this health campaign. -Saba, KT website