A Tobacco Control Policy & Legal Resource Center
Supporting Smokefree Air & Tobacco-Free Lives

Study on Secondhand smoke Emission Levels in Hookah Cafes in Doha, Qatar

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A study published online on October 28, 2014 by the journal, Tobacco Control, raised concerns about elevated levels of particulate pollution that were found in waterpipe cafes in Doha, Qatar. The particulates could potentially endanger the health of employees and patrons.

In 2002, Qatar adopted legislation that prohibited cigarette smoking inside public venues, but exempted tobacco waterpipe smoking. The researchers of the study recommend to protect the public from the dangers of secondhand tobacco smoke, and to change social norms around tobacco use, smoke-free policies that apply to all forms of combusted tobacco products, including the waterpipe, are needed.