House panel working on compromise to allow argileh in designated areas

AMMAN — The Lower House tourism committee on Monday said it is currently working on a compromise to allow smoking argileh in specific public spaces and would issue its recommendations by next week.

At a special meeting designated to discuss the argileh ban, MPs brought together owners of restaurants, cafés and tourist sites that are expected to incur “huge losses” due to a government decision to ban argileh smoking at cafés, to meet with Health Minister Ali Hiasat and discuss the decision’s implications on the tourism sector.

After a heated discussion, the parties agreed to postpone any agreement until next week, so that the Health Ministry will have enough time to study new suggestions submitted by the House’s Tourism Committee.

The panel wants to grant cafés and restaurants the right to offer argileh, but in designated spaces that are no larger than 50 per cent of the outlet’s total area.

Members of the committee argued that allowing argileh at these locations guarantees that such products are not served to those aged under 18 years.

Last week, 13 MPs called for allowing the use of water pipes in specific areas.

In a memo submitted to Lower House Speaker Atef Tararwneh, the signatories proposed an amendment to the 2008 Public Health Law, under which argileh smoking is allowed in ìrestaurants, cafés and tourist sites.

Last month, the Greater Amman Ministry announced that it will not issue or renew any licences for cafés serving argileh, citing a Health Ministry request to enforce the law, which prohibits smoking in public places.

The application of the law will go into effect on April 1, since all licences issued to restaurants and cafés that offer argileh expire by March 31, according to Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji.