Hookahs draw youths to Bangalore cafes

Hookahs have become a rage not only with customers making in a beeline to enjoy a "long and relaxing" puff at cafes but also with the concept moving in to homes and parties, some parlour owners said.

"Unlike a lit butt of cigarette that throws up a strong pungent odour, smoke emanating from a flavoured tobacco that has been ignited and cleansed in water settled in crystal bottoms (of the waterpipe), is extremely relaxing and pleasant,"  Ashwin, who runs a hookah parlour here, said.

About 50-100 persons visit the parlour on weekends,he said.

A hookah is a single or multi-stemmed (often glass-based) instrument for smoking tobacco in which the smoke is cooled and filtered by passing through water.
For Shweta, a college student, hookah is more a way of relaxation and hanging out with friends.

"We come to enjoy hookah every alternate day. Since we cannot smoke, we find hookah a healthy alternative," she said, watching the parlour attendant carefully placing the red hot coals on the top of the flavoured tobacco and getting her hookah all ready..

Smoking the hookah is common among college students, said Meena, a city college student.

"In my class many girls hang out at hookah parlours and cafes. It has peer acceptance but our families still maintain a strong no-no", she added.

Though the cafes propagate hookahs to be much healthier compared to smoking, medical organisations differ over the issue since, according to them, the quantum of smoke consumed in three-four hours was much higher than from a few cigarettes.

Ambiance in Hookah parlours too plays a part in wooing youngsters. Soft music in the background, dimly lit parlours, divans and couches in parlours draw in customers.

At one of the city's parlours, hand painted posters of an Iranian woman enjoying a hookah, a couple in a Mughal court locked in a conversation over a hookah, greets visitors by lending an old charm to the place.

Paintings of the svelte Hollywood actress, the late Audrey Hepburn, decked in a black-fitting gown smoking a pipe adorn the walls.

While most hookahs offer the water as the cleanser, some experiment with wine soda, cool drinks and even milk.

Average hookah parlours, which need an investment of Rs 5 lakh to 7 seven lakh, charge around Rs 150 to Rs 400 plus for the puff. "A single hookah could be shared by friends and last around 45 minutes", said Irfan who runs a chain of cafes.

The prices depend on the product chosen.

"Many of our products, which are tobacco molasses, are imported from the Middle East. Our hookahs are imported from Belgium, Iran, Middle East", said Irfan, who also runs The Hookah Trading Company here.

"For mature adults only", said a signboard at one of the parlours, making clear the 18-age bar was mandatory.

Setting up a hookah parlour means ensuring licenses and clearance from the health department.

"There are routine checks whether the rules are followed ... whether there is enough ventilation. The smoking and non-smoking zones are demarcated", an owner said.

Hookahs are not just a parlour phenomenon but moving in to parties and homes as well. "We regularly organise hookah parties for corporates and birthday or other functions", said Irfan adding his clientele also include five star hotels.

"An Arabian theme party would mean throwing a hookah for that oriental feel". It cost around Rs 5000 for holding a hookah session.

He said many want to enjoy a hookah at home and purchase them. The hookahs range from Rs 1000 to over Rs 10,000 and the tobacco molasses flavour come with some exciting names ranging from 'Captain Planet','Space Jam', 'The Remix' and an interestingly named The Green Effect. Flavours range from pineapple, cherry, grape,mint mango and even 'Bombay paan.'