Senators expand hookah ban

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Senate has approved the first reading of a bill that aims to strengthen the prohibition of hookah use in public and private spaces. The initiative, presented by Senator Virgilio Cedano from La Altagracia, seeks to expand the scope of the ban to better protect the health and environment.

The proposed legislation modifies Article 3 of Law 16-19, which currently prohibits the use of hookahs in closed, covered places, vehicles, squares, parks, stadiums, and other areas where people gather for recreational or sporting purposes.

The bill highlights the risks associated with hookah smoke, which contains toxic substances such as carbon monoxide, heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These harmful emissions can have severe health consequences for vulnerable individuals, including older adults, pregnant women, and children who are often exposed to secondhand smoke in public places.

This effort follows a similar move by the mayor of Higüey in La Altagracia province, Karina Aristy, who banned the use of vapers, hookahs, and alcohol consumption in squares and parks in her municipality last June. The new bill aims to take a similar approach nationwide, promoting a safer and healthier environment for all citizens.