Owners and patrons of shisha or hookah bars feel the new proposed anti-tobacco laws in Alberta take aim at their culture.
The hookah is common in many Middle Eastern cultures, and the flavoured smoking pucks generally don’t contain any tobacco.
However, the proposed laws could effectively shut down local shisha lounges.
Health experts believe even shisha smoking can negatively impact health.
Alberta Health Minister Fred Horne announced the government's support for Bill 206 and introduced Bill 33 Thursday in Edmonton.
Bill 206, which is already being debated in the Alberta legislature, would ban the sale of flavoured tobacco products to minors.
Bill 33 would ban smoking in vehicles carrying children. As well, Bill 33 would ban the use of waterpipes – which can be used to smoke herbal tobacco-free products -- in public areas, and also prevent cigarillos from being sold individually.
