It is not right to believe that the ban on smoking in closed and semi-closed places applies only to cigarettes. Hookahs cannot be smoked either.

In a news conference at IPN, Gennady Turcanu, programs coordinator at the Center for Health Policies and Studies (PAS), said the smoke from hookahs is as toxic as the cigarette smoke. The only difference is that the hookahs do not contain nicotine and do not cause dependence.

Within a study carried out by the PAS to see how the Law on Tobacco Control is respected, it was established that most of the business entities working in the public food sector and the health facilities and education institutions correctly implement the law.

Gennady Turcanu said smoking on the terrace is not banned, but this is an open or semi-open place. Even if they continue to smoke in closed places, it is the manager who bears responsibility and is liable to fine because this didn’t warn the client that the law bans smoking.

Moldova is not the first country that applies tobacco control and does it well, but it is important for the bodies that monitor the observance of the law to ensure permanent supervision, stated the PAS programs coordinator.

In 57% of the public eating places, the anti-smoking law is violated as they smoke hookahs there. “The ban on smoking hookahs in closed places was imposed not accidentally. There is scientific evidence that the hookah smoke contains the same toxic substances and particles that affect health, even if this does not contain tobacco,” stated Gennady Turcanu.

The law bans smoking in closed and semi-closed areas, with three walls and the roof. If two walls are absent, the area is considered semi-closed and smoking there is allowed.