Utah Bans Indoor Hookah Smoke
Utah health officials are banning hookah smoking in bars, restaurants and other indoor public places because of concerns about secondhand smoke.
Health department official Steve Madden says even minimal exposure to hookah smoke can be dangerous.
Madden says the department is also concerned that younger people who don’t smoke cigarettes might be attracted to the flavored tobacco used in hookahs.
The rule applies to new businesses as well as existing ones.
Huka Bar owner Nathan Porter tells The Salt Lake Tribune that the rule is unnecessary because his patrons are adults who understand they are going to a place with smoke inside.
Porter says studies show secondhand smoke from hookahs is much less dangerous than other smoke because it is filtered.
