by Staff Report | Apr 1, 2011 2:32pm ( ) Comments | Commenting has expired | Share

Posted to: State Capitol

A bill toughening regulations and eliminating smoking in new hookah lounges passed the Public Health Committee Friday.

The bill prohibits smoking in hookah lounges created after July 1, 2011. The bill also requires the Department of Public Health to establish new regulations for lounges operating before July 1.

Rep. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, said the bill talks about banning hookah lounges and not hookah smoking. He said that will push people to smoke hookah’s in the privacy of their homes unregulated. He voted against the bill.