Shisha restrictions in place for Ramadan

Restrictions are being put on Shisha smokers during the holy month of Ramadan, it has been announced.

While Shisha and Ramadan normally go hand-in-hand, only four and five-star hotels will this year be allowed to serve shisha in the temporary iftar tents, under strict new regulations.

The move comes as part of new anti-smoking laws that were introduced in Dubai this year, reported UAE daily Gulf News on Wednesday.

The ban on smoking in hotel premises is part of an ongoing campaign to regulate smoking in the emirate.

The Ramadan tents also have to follow some new regulations, such as displaying no smoking signs for under-20s.

From November 2007, smoking was controlled in cafes and restaurants, and shisha cafes have to comply with new regulations by the end of the year.

Shisha cafes smaller than 1,500sq ft are required to move to bigger premises by the end of the year, and smoking outside cafes in residential areas has also been banned.

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