Crackdown on sheesha: Cafes in posh sectors raided to check violation of ban
Team comprising four ACs confiscated 75 sheesha from 18 cafes.
ISLAMABAD:
Various cafes were raided in the capital’s posh sectors and 75 sheesha were confiscated by the Islamabad administration this week. Cafe owners paid over Rs50,000 in fines for violating the ban on smoking sheesha within the capital’s limits.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmed had constituted a team comprising four assistant commissioners who raided 18 cafes and confiscated 75 sheesha, said an official. Collectively, the fine came to Rs53,750. The step was taken under anti-tobacco laws.
The administration targeted cafes in posh sectors that were serving sheesha. On May 15, the interior ministry had issued a notification directing all restaurants to close down at 11pm, mainly to conserve energy and curb sheesha smoking in the city.
Sheesha smoking is more harmful than cigarettes because a smoker inhales more poisonous fumes from a sheesha, according to the World Health Organisation.
Cafes were targeted in sectors F-6, F-8, F-10, and F-11 over the past two days.
In F-10 markaz, the administration raided Incantare Coffee Cafe and confiscated three sheeshas. In F-11, Ashville Cafe, Addiction Cafe, Cafe Le Balto, Jungle Lounge and Night Lounge were raided and 29 sheeshas were confiscated, while in F-7, 22 sheesha were taken away from Cafe Burnout and Rendezvous.
Four cafes including Rooftop Cafe, Oxygen Lounge and Red Onion were raided in F-6 and warned against serving sheesha to customers.
On October 10, during a call attention notice in parliament, Minister of State for Interior Imtiaz Safdar Warraich had told the house there was no sheesha bar in five-star hotels or uptown restaurants in the city. In response, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi had said he would form a committee to investigate. The committee was not formed as of Wednesday night.
The deputy commissioner confirmed that the administration had taken action against the cafés. When asked if the raids would act as a deterrent, he said, cafe owners try to avoid raids as they hurt their image so “yes, they are effective in checking the illegal practice”.
He added, “The administration will not allow to café owners to serve sheesha.’’
Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2012.
Various cafes were raided in the capital’s posh sectors and 75 sheesha were confiscated by the Islamabad administration this week. Cafe owners paid over Rs50,000 in fines for violating the ban on smoking sheesha within the capital’s limits.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmed had constituted a team comprising four assistant commissioners who raided 18 cafes and confiscated 75 sheesha, said an official. Collectively, the fine came to Rs53,750. The step was taken under anti-tobacco laws.
The administration targeted cafes in posh sectors that were serving sheesha. On May 15, the interior ministry had issued a notification directing all restaurants to close down at 11pm, mainly to conserve energy and curb sheesha smoking in the city.
Sheesha smoking is more harmful than cigarettes because a smoker inhales more poisonous fumes from a sheesha, according to the World Health Organisation.
Cafes were targeted in sectors F-6, F-8, F-10, and F-11 over the past two days.
In F-10 markaz, the administration raided Incantare Coffee Cafe and confiscated three sheeshas. In F-11, Ashville Cafe, Addiction Cafe, Cafe Le Balto, Jungle Lounge and Night Lounge were raided and 29 sheeshas were confiscated, while in F-7, 22 sheesha were taken away from Cafe Burnout and Rendezvous.
Four cafes including Rooftop Cafe, Oxygen Lounge and Red Onion were raided in F-6 and warned against serving sheesha to customers.
On October 10, during a call attention notice in parliament, Minister of State for Interior Imtiaz Safdar Warraich had told the house there was no sheesha bar in five-star hotels or uptown restaurants in the city. In response, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi had said he would form a committee to investigate. The committee was not formed as of Wednesday night.
The deputy commissioner confirmed that the administration had taken action against the cafés. When asked if the raids would act as a deterrent, he said, cafe owners try to avoid raids as they hurt their image so “yes, they are effective in checking the illegal practice”.
He added, “The administration will not allow to café owners to serve sheesha.’’
Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2012.