Shisha cafes coming under siege in Dubai

Dubai Municipality has drawn up a list of shisha shops that are currently flouting the federal anti-tobacco law.

As many as 30% of Dubai’s 400 shisha cafes face closure because they are not adhering to the laws relating size and location which came into force in February this year.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dubai Municipality’s Public Health and Safety Department director said it will send the list to the Department of Economic Development if corrective measures are not taken.

“We have found that almost 30 per cent of the over 400 shisha cafes in Dubai do not abide by the specifications stipulated in the federal law,” Marwan Al Mohammed told the newspaper.

“Most of these are small shisha cafes with areas of 500 to 600 square feet which is very less for shisha cafes which, as per the law, should have 2000 square feet,” said Mohammed.

As well as size requirements, cafés are also supposed to move out of residential areas and maintain a distance of up to 150 metres from educational institutions, homes and places of worship.

Shisha cafes in malls and shopping centres in Dubai are also required to have an entrance from the outside.

Restaurants offering shisha must ensure these rooms are separate from non-smoking areas, with a minimum ceiling height of three metres.