Tareq Yousef and Aladdin Hookah Lounge

John Haggie: Health minister John Haggie said Monday that using a hookah is "simply another form of smoking" and poses a public health risk, according to CBC. Hookah is an instrument used to smoke shisha, which is a blend of flavoured herbs. John only hookah lounge says the government decision to ban hookah bars is hypocritical and "makes no sense." "I'm speechless," said Tareq Yousef, co-owner of Aladdin Hookah Lounge. "I'm trying to make sense of it and it doesn't add up." Take it outside: N.L. e-cigarette, vape shop rule changes coming in 2017 The restrictions on hookahs are part of the newly-introduced Bill 35, which regulates electronic cigarettes, flavoured tobacco and other inhalants. Yousef said his shisha does not contain tobacco or nicotine. While he agreed that inhaling anything other than oxygen isn't healthy, Yousef said banning hookah bars is "hypocritical" when government allows the sale of cigarettes, alcohol and other potentially harmful substances. "There no problem opening up a club or a bar, or a strip club, But when it comes to a little hookah lounge, that a big no," he said. "If they're concerned about health, let sit down and talk scientific, statistical facts, and see what is the main issue...I don't think hookah would make it to the top of that list. Health Minister John Haggie said smoking hookah poses similar health risks as smoking cigarettes or other inhalants. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.