Preserving an endangered culture: a counter perspective on ‘shisha’

ISLAMABAD:

Cut to the summer of 2003. We are transported to a narrow chamber fashioned in outmoded harem furniture (the long pillows have golden tassels) and a thin veil of smoke hangs above an awkward group of teenagers. Each of them paid Rs100 to get in with no little fuss but ultimately considered it a fair price for not having to worry about age restrictions on shisha. They’ve clocked enough hours here for days, weeks even. Shisha-culture is born.

These are the Ye Olde Hangout’s halcyon days. The shisha-lounge opened December 2002 and quickly became a watering hole for almost every highschooler worth anything in the 44000 area. You walked in and felt palpable energy- this nightmarish power of hormones and drama. Keep your eyes straight and get a good table or you’ll be eaten alive.

Later, this primal force became less concentrated; dispersed throughout the city when shisha got big. Eventually shisha traded up and made it to Kohsar Market.

Huqqah became ubiquitous; a primarily youth-based sub-culture grew around what now has a bad rep for being hazardous, “luring” the youth to ‘addiction’ and ‘depravity’. By this logic- especially if you live in Pakistan- everything these days is a health hazard; rolling your windows down puts you at risk of health hazards from carbon monoxide emission, from pollution. Pollen is a health hazard.

A health ministry official had said they planned to announce the ban on Shisha consumption in public places by May 31.

Though it is way past that, if the ban eventually passes will it prove effective? And what’s going to stop people from sneakily serving shisha at restaurants and cafes? What’s going to stop kids from smoking at home?

“The ban won’t really disrupt anything for us. We will still sell shisha and flavour,” said Shams, owner of ‘Shams’ in Supermarket.

What’s more, the youth could very easily turn to more dangerous alternatives if the buzz they get from shisha isn’t publically available anymore. When they smoke at home, they smoke unregulated. Or they could switch to another substance altogether. Isn’t it better to up awareness campaigns that focus on the pitfalls of smoking shisha instead of banning it completely? When you ban something it becomes a lot more exciting and taboo. Alcohol is also officially banned in the city but that isn’t stopping anyone from drinking. Dealers are available at all hours.

Socially speaking, the ban is going to make socializing for teens and young adults more difficult than it already is. Shisha’s just the scapegoat; it’s a social lubricant that cuts down on conversation because you’re too busy puffing and exhaling big gouts of thick smoke- you look cool and impressive; you don’t have to bust your chops trying to outwit or impress. If adults are concerned that those under-eighteen are poisoning their lungs, then a simple ID check might just make regulating under-age shisha use a lot easier.

“Yeah, I enjoy shisha from time to time. It’s nice. I don’t think I’m addicted and neither are any of my friends. We feel totally healthy and I don’t know anyone who’s gotten sick from shisha. It’ll be depressing if they ban it,” lamented Waqas, 22, a young professional.

“I mean, there’s so much going on in the country these days; so much violence and discord. Can’t we have this one little thing?” he added and took a pull from his tall hookah.

Most people, though, who smoke shisha don’t smoke it compulsively- these aren’t your run of the mill smack-addicts curled up in corners slapping their arms for a vein. Chances are you’re not going to OD on shisha.

If health officials are concerned about second hand smoking and health, they would be wise to consider alternatives: a requirement to serve shisha in shisha-specific bars and lounges as opposed to public consumption. Think of it as cultural preservation in harsh times.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2011.