Two hookah bars challenged a law that prohibits smoking or burning substances in commercial establishments. The court found that the law applied to the hookah bars because warming of herbal shisha was considered “burning”. The court rejected arguments that the smoking law was overly broad and that it violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, finding no connection between smoking hookahs and religion.
Tobacco companies or front groups may challenge any legislative or regulatory measure that affects their business interests. Unlike public interest litigation, these cases seek to weaken health measures. These cases frequently involve the industry proceeding against the government. For example, a group of restaurant owners challenging a smoke free law as unconstitutional.
Government, through its agencies and officials including prosecutors, may seek to enforce its health laws. For example, the government may revoke the license of a retailer that sells tobacco products to minors. These cases may also directly involve the tobacco industry, for example, a government might impound and destroy improperly labeled cigarette packs.
A single or multi-stemmed instrument for vaporizing and smoking flavored tobacco (shisha or sheesha) or other products in which the vapor or smoke is passed through a water basin ‒ often glass-based ‒ before inhalation. Water pipes are known by a variety of names such as hookah, huqqah, nargilah, nargile, arghila, and qalyan.
Two hookah bars challenged a law that prohibits smoking or burning substances in commercial establishments. The court found that the law applied to the hookah bars because warming of herbal shisha was considered “burning”. The court rejected arguments that the smoking law was overly broad and that it violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, finding no connection between smoking hookahs and religion.