Gentile Wants To Ban Hookah Bar Expansion

Are you an aspiring hookah fan who one day dreams of starting your own hookah bar in New York City? You might have to hurry up your plans if Councilman Vincent Gentile gets his way. Gentile is leading the effort to bar further construction of any new hookah bars in the city as part of the Council’s overall effort to fight smoking citywide.

Crain’s is reporting that Gentile is citing the destructive effects that hookahs have on the body as justification for limiting the expansion of future spots that offer hookah service.

“Hookah smoke can do as much or more damage than cigarette smoke because you have to inhale more deeply,” Crain’s reported Gentile saying. “In fact, one session of hookah can be like smoking 35 to 100 cigarettes.”

One study, done by a Bensonhurst native in 2011, shattered the myth of hookahs being healthier than cigarettes, and found cancer-causing and addictive elements in hookah smoke.

Under Gentile’s proposed legislation, which he originally introduced in 2010, it would be illegal for new hookah bars to open. Only existing hookah bars would be exempt from the law but they too would be barred from expanding their businesses or opening new locations.

Hookah bar owners have expressed mixed feelings on the proposed bill. While the new laws would damage their ability to expand their business, they would also no longer face competition from new businesses looking to muscle into their territory.

“We’re not trying to close down anybody who’s already in business,” Gentile said.

Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny took on hookah bars in 2011, introducing legislation in the Assembly that would ban hookah and water pipe sales to minors.