Coun. George Darouze plans to speak out against a proposed hookah ban this week, arguing it picks on a popular Middle Eastern activity.
By: Emma Jackson
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
At least one Ottawa councillor will fight the city’s plans to ban hookah pipes this week, arguing it’s an attack on Middle Eastern culture.
Osgoode Coun. George Darouze was the only member of the community and protective services committee to vote against the proposed ban last Thursday, and he plans to speak up again when council makes a final decision Wednesday.
“We’re picking on a cultural thing and I don’t think we should be banning it,” said Darouze, adding the city is becoming a "nanny state."
Ottawa Public Health wants to ban smoking water pipes – also known as hookah or shisha – in public places, to prevent second-hand smoke exposure.
But Darouze, who is originally from Lebanon, said shisha is different from cigarettes, because no one goes to a shisha café unless they intend to smoke.
He said it's a social activity, just like going to the bar.
“We’re picking on a group of people,” said Darouze, who added he was disappointed more business owners didn’t speak out.
Only Julia Moussa, owner of Bay Rock Café in South Keys, showed up in defence of her shisha business.
“I do feel like we’re being attacked, from ignorance,” Moussa said.
But Coun. Keith Egli, like most of his fellow CPS committee members, disagreed the ban stems from cultural bias.
“All the arguments staff presented were based on genuine health concerns,” he said.
Even if customers and staff don’t mind the second-hand smoke, other visitors – from bylaw officers to plumbers – could still be exposed, Egli said.
If passed, the ban will be enforced as of April 3, 2017.