Shisha cafes must stop selling shisha, officials warn of crackdown

The powers that want smokers to keep their puffing to cigarettes.

After going after electronic cigarettes, officials will begin a crackdown on the sale of shisha, the illegally-imported-yet-widely-smoked tobacco, after junta chief Gen. Prayuth Chanocha expressed concern about its popularity.

Public shisha cafes, which have spread in recent years as its popularity has grown in Bangkok, could have their business licenses revoked.

Inspections of venues selling shisha sale will be made throughout the kingdom, especially of cafes near universities, according to Somchai Pulsawas, director-general of the Excise Department.

He added the sale and import of shisha is strictly prohibited in Thailand, and authorities are allowed to confiscate any flavored tobacco and smoking equipment sold publicly. If the goods are found at entertainment complexes, the owners will be prosecuted and their businesses could be shut down.

The crackdown was encouraged by Gen. Prayuth, who said he was concerned by shisha smoking among youngsters, according to Matichon.



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