SHISHA TRADERS ACCEPT COMPLETE CLOSED THEIR BUSINESS

Speaking on behalf of other Shisha dealers at a press conference in the city yesterday, Ms Saphina Said said, “We as a group of owners extend our cooperation to the government by closing our business.”

Shisha is molasses-based tobacco concoction smoked in a water pipe known as ‘hookah’. The position of Shisha dealers comes just two days following the government’s ban, as smoking Shisha as outlined by Prime Minister causes cancer, cardiovascular and skin diseases, rotting gums and teeth, diminished immune of pregnant women giving birth preterm and children with low weight.

Flanked by several other dealers of the commodity, Ms Said told reporters that they have noted the statement given by Prime Minister over side effects caused for smoking shisha and the position by Mr Makonda as trading the commodity contributed to the use of drugs since some dealers mix with drugs.

She pointed out that, however, that it was their hope that they would get an opportunity to meet with the regional commissioner after the Idd el-Fitr celebrations to discuss and air their views on the way forward and find the best way on how such business could be regulated.

“After the seven days given by the government are over, we would like to sit with Mr Makonda to discuss this issue in detail. We are ready even where there would be a law to regulate our business. But as of now, we have to obey the orders of our leaders,” another dealer, Jibril Mohamed, chipped in.

The businessmen could not reveal the extent of loss they have so far suffered following the ban, but Mr Mohamed was quick to say: “We cannot disclose the extent of loss suffered at the moment.

But you should understand that every decision has some effects. For today we reserve our comments.” Recently, the Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, banned shisha smoking in the country and asked clerics, parents and all leaders to fight against dealers and smokers.

The PM’s order came as Dar es Salaam RC declared war against dealers of tobacco-laced shisha in the country’s business capital, insisting that all the joints that sell shisha should be closed by next Monday.

Mr Majaliwa said the consumption of shisha resulted into temptation to indulge in all sorts of vices and eroding morals among the youth. “The statement by Mr Makonda came as a government directive.

Therefore, all regional leaders, including mayors and district commissioners (DCs) should implement that directive with immediate effect,’’ the premier is quoted as saying.

He issued the directive at the Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Mosque along Indira Gandhi Street in Dar es Salaam during a special Iftar hosted by the Ithnaasheri Community, which was attended by various religious leaders.

Mr Majaliwa warned that stern action would be taken against those who will defy the order, adding that both parents and government leaders were capable of dealing with the problem.

He said the use of shisha was killing the future generation of the country by wreaking havoc on the mental health of the young people. At a ceremony to swear in the newly-appointed District Commissioners (DC) at the Karimjee Hall in the city, Mr Makonda issued a warning to Shisha marketers after swearing in four DCs at a ceremony held.

He directed the DCs to ensure that they crack the whip to all dealers that would defy his order, adding that the move is aimed at helping the youth who, he said, were being largely affected.

The habit is gaining popularity among the youth, with many believing it is less harmful than cigarettes, but health experts say it is much worse.

A research by the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that the volume of smoke inhaled in an hour-long shisha session is equivalent to smoking between 100 and 200 cigarettes.



On average, a cigarette smoker inhales half a litre of smoke per cigarette, while a shisha smoker can take in anything from just under a sixth of a litre to a litre of smoke per inhalation.

Source: dairlNews