NARGILE SMOKING KEEPS ARABS IN WONDERLAND
By: Peter Kandela Lancet
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Nargile rental? Political life in Lebanon is often heated
and volatile, and during election campaigns politicians look
for novel ways to attract support from voters. This year,
a prospective candidate standing for election in the south
of the country rented 200 nargile pipes(hookahs) from a cafe;
owner as an incentive to members of the public to attend his
rallies.
It was probably a successful strategy, because the nargile
is enjoying a great rise in popularity throughout the Middle
East. Consequently, rates of smoking in many countries in
the region are on the increase, despite health-education programmes.
The nargile,
also known as hookah, shisha,
or hubbly bubbly, has a long
and distinguished history which can be traced back to ancient
India. During the past century, its use in the Arab world
had declined to the point where it was mainly the preserve
of elderly men in the poorer areas of cities. Old Egyptian
films showed groups of men sipping mint tea or strong coffee
in cafes and smoking for many hours.
Now, there has been a remarkable revival. If you walk down
any street in Amman, Beirut, or Damascus, nargile cafes are
proliferating and the success of business will depend on the
availability and quality of the smoking experience on offer.
One year has elapsed since the execution of Casablanca's
wali's decision to prohibit the use of the nargile in all
public places. In Casablanca alone, 3000 cafés served
narghile to its clients. Now they have to put up with the
new law. .
The application of the new law has been firmly followed.
Owners of cafés, who did not respect it, risked trial
and even their cafés' being closed down.
An official of the Wilaya said that the public consumption
of the nargile may cause the spread of contagious diseases
such as tuberculosis.
On the other hand, several consumers reject this decision
and described the pipe as “an essential element of the
art of living” since it helps one to relax, thanks to
the sound of bubbles and smoke.
The hubble bubble, is known by different names and is a culture
exported from the Middle East, namely from Egypt. Originally,
the hookah was invented in Turkey where coconut husks were
used. Later, the pipe was perfected in design in Egypt.
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