1. There are several preventive measures to stop spreading shisha smoking in the Saudi society. They include:
• Taking steps to correct the wrong notions prevailing in the society about shisha smoking such as it is safer and less harmful than smoking cigarettes, it would not cause addiction because the smoke is passing through liquid ingredients before inhaling it, and that shisha smoking is not regular and continuous like cigarette smoking as it is being taken in one sitting or two in a day. But the scientifically proved reality is contrary to these claims.
• To highlight the fact that burning used charcoal for shisha causes emission of cancerous chemical compounds.
• Spread the message that products used with tobacco in shisha smoking such as flavors, and fruit essence would result in chemical reactions that are harmful.
• It is also to be highlighted that shisha smoking may be a carrier of contagious diseases such as tuberculosis and hepatitis.
2. Intensifying campaign thorough the visual media against shisha smoking. This could be done indirectly through serials and films and also social networking sites that can produce positive impact in the minds of people.
3. Prevent spreading of shisha smoking through rest houses and coffee shops. There should be restrictions for licensing such outlets that start operating with the main purpose of serving shisha. There should also be restrictions for opening stores for the sale of tobacco and other ingredients of shisha smoking.
4. There should be clear policies to prevent spreading of shisha by imposing restrictions on the sale and manufacturing of the products used in shisha smoking. There should also be measures for the treatment of shisha addicts.
5. There should be restrictions on the sale of ingredients that serve as a source of attraction for people to shisha smoking.
The committee also wants to prevent spreading of shisha smoking in public places. It said there should be legislation to ban smoking shisha in public places, especially at indoor places. It called for the following:
1. Plans and strategies to prevent shisha smoking in public places must contain the following rules and regulations:
• Prevent writing down misleading facts on the packets of tobacco used for shisha
• Slapping additional duties and taxes on the sale of shisha products as well as on coffee shops and restaurants serving shisha.
• Frame stringent manufacturing specifications regarding shisha ingredients.
• Impose a ban on the sale of shisha products as well as on serving shisha to those under the age of 18
• Slap a ban on shisha smoking in public places, especially at indoor premises.
2. A health awareness campaign to rectify the wrong notion that shisha smoking is safer than smoking cigarettes. The campaign should shed light on the health haphazard of shisha smoking through the following ways:
• Include the subject of smoking, especially shisha, and its harmful effect on the health of individuals as well as its negative impact on the society in the curriculum of school and universities as students are the main targets
• Conduct lectures and seminars on smoking at educational institutions
• Printing leaflets as part of anti-smoking campaign
3. Both print and electronic media should play a key role in:
• Warning against promotion of shisha directly or indirectly
• Holding discussions about the problem of spreading shisha smoking and its demerits as well as the ways to prevent it.
