Health and Safety Considerations in Smoke Cafes from Fresh Point's blog

Smoke cafes particularly those providing shisha are venues where people go to socialize, have quality smoke and have fun. However, these establishments are still relatively new and many have concerns with the health risks of shisha smoking and what smoke cafes are doing to minimize these risks. Despite the fact these cafes offer an interesting cultural and entertainment centre, the owners and consumers should know of the risks present and of how these are controlled.

Shisha, or hookah smoking, is a practice of smoking from a flavored tobacco pipe and is assumed to be much safer than cigarettes. Such studies propose a contrary concept. Notably, WHO’s data has it that one hour of shisha yields more smoke, tar and other chemicals than a cigarette. These toxins remain in the hookah to heat the water; the water does not filter the smoke but only cools the smoke to make it easier to take in depth. Therefore, shisha smoking can result in respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and in some ways may increase the chances of cancer diseases.

Apart from the direct consumers, others who participate in the facilities that have smoke cafes subjected themselves to secondhand smoke exposure and passively inhale risky chemicals. This means that smoke cafes need to ensure that certain strict health and safety measures are put in place to protect both the smoker and the non smoker.

In terms of health issues, it should be mentioned that numerous smoke cafes are experienced enough to create favorable conditions for their clients and prevent diseases, so they work to improve sanitarians. Here are some key measures being implemented:

Control of smoke concentration in smoke cafes can also be helped by proper control of ventilation in these areas. Most facilities have had standing air conditioning systems that clean the air round the clock to ensure that the environment is suitable for the smoker or non-smoker.

Shisha smoking is not an exceptional task thus calls for clean operations all the time. Currently, many cafes have disinfected mouth pieces and hose which are disposable thereby minimizing contact between customers and staff. Parts of hookah like the base and the bowl that are reusable are always washed for cleanliness to be upheld to reduce germ and bacterial transmission.

In order to reduce health concerns as much as possible there are also terraces in a multitude of cafes. This way the customers are able to take their shisha in the exterior part thus reducing the amount of shisha smoke in covered areas thus avoiding second hand smoke exposure.

For socially sensitive customers, the non-tobacco flavored hookahs are becoming popular. These herbal blends offer the same enjoyable soothing smoking sensation comparable to some regular cigarettes that contain nicotine and tars albeit dangerous to human health, but are much safer for those willing to step down from tobacco cigarettes.

Most smoking cafes have proposed themselves towards educating their customers on the potential dangers of shisha smoking. This can involve giving out info about the risks and how long one should smoke as well as tips on how to smoke in a safer manner.

Thus, smoke cafes can be safely consumed when certain measures have been instituted. However, many cafes today are choosing to embrace shisha and this is good to hear as most have taken measures when it comes to safety and hygiene. Regardless of how often you might partake or even if you are just a ‘wallflower’ getting caught up in passing smoke, it is important to know the dangers but also to know precautions happening at the cafes to reduce these. Indeed, with the help of such measures we stay protected from the harm smoke cafes may bring us while still continuing to patronize the businesses which value clients’ health.