Council set to move forward on public shisha ban in 2020

Prohibition of shisha in public buildings is on track for July 2020, six months earlier than initially proposed.

The long-debated issue was met with a compromise Wednesday as shisha lounges offered to end hookah and water-pipe smoking in 12 months if minors would still be allowed in the building for that period.

A report recommending the ban to city council’s community and public services committee suggested a transition period of 18 months, including an immediate ban of minors. But with wedding parties and celebrations already planned in the family-friendly establishments, one business owner said this would be even more detrimental.

“At the end of the day, the industry will always be at a loss with this decision,” said Omar Hagar who manages Sahara Palace in the north end. “No restrictions, that was a benefit to this.”

The 44 shisha lounges across the city knew this ban was impending, Hagar said, but it’s just the beginning of the battle.

Some businesses who focus primarily on offering shisha may go bankrupt, Hagar predicted. Sahara Palace will likely have to fire about 14 of its 50 employees.

“The first year after the ban will probably be the hardest,” he said. “It might go good, (or) we might have to close our doors.”

Downtown Ward 6 Coun. Scott McKeen said he hopes these small businesses can find a footing after the ban and that as restaurants, they still remain places to go.

“It’s worth a trip all the way up there, the food is fantastic,” he said of Sahara Palace. “That’s what they’ll win the day on, service and food.”

Coun. Jon Dziadyk, who doesn’t have a vote on the committee, was alone in pleading for councillors to reconsider. Sahara Palace is located in Dziadyk’s north-side Ward 3 and he argued there should be a way to address the concerns around second-hand smoke and public health without prohibition.

“I’d rather us go down the path of regulating air quality more without prohibition of shisha smoking,” he said. “That’s the approach we should go with.”

But the committee unanimously sided with health advocates in attendance arguing the ban is necessary and will bring public shisha consumption in line with tobacco and cannabis.

As for what’s next for shisha businesses, Hagar said it’s time to find the next opportunity to try to stay afloat.

The reworked bylaw supporting a 12-month transition period before a full shisha ban effective July 2020 will face council for approval July 16.