'It's Just a Cooling Off Period': 180-Day Freeze Hookah Cafe Openings

The Dearborn City Council voted last week on a 180-day freeze on the opening of any new hookah establishments amid concerns that some are operating illegally and affecting community health, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Dearborn isn’t the only city to place a moratorium on Hookah establishments. Officials in Troy placed limitations on similar businesses and faced accusations of discrimination since such businesses are popular among Arab-Americans.

Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly Jr. called the moratorium “just a cooling off period.”

“We should slow down the growth of this industry until we have a better idea of the rules,” he said.

Though observant Muslims in the Arab-American community don’t drink alcohol, hookah cafes serve as hangout spots, much like pubs and bars.

There are currently 15 licensed hookah cafes in Dearborn.

The state of Michigan enacted a law that restricted smoking in restaurants in 2010, but along with cigar bars, hookah cafes and bars are among the indoor entertainment venues where it’s still legal to light up. About 300 hookah and cigar bars operate under the restriction because their kitchens aren’t directly connected to the smoking areas.

Dearborn’s 15 hookah cafes were included, but the state won’t grant any new exemptions.

The only way a new hookah cafe can open is through the transference of an existing exemption, said Angela Minicuci, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Unlicensed hookah cafes aren’t allowed to use tobacco, but can with state approval. But, O’Reilly said Wayne County doesn’t have the resources to investigate whether unlicensed hookah cafes are using herbs as they say.

“A number of food-service establishments claim their hookah pipes contain herbal hookah that do not contain tobacco,” Minicuci said. “The Michigan Department of Community Health, along with the Michigan State Police and the Department of Treasury, are currently working to address the issue of herbal hookah.”

Dearborn City Council President Susan Dabaja and City Councilman Saeini voted against the ban.

“Elected officials should be working on bringing business into our community,” Dearborn attorney Majed Moughni said. “This issue is a waste of time and energy.”

Dearborn has the highest number of hookah cafes in the state, as well as one of the highest concentrations of Arab-Americans in the country. O’Reilly said the city isn’t seeking to restrict hookah businesses, but rather simply wants clarity with the law.

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PHOTO: Dearborn Officials have banned the opening of any new hookah cafes due to unlicensed establishments and community health issues. The Mayor is working to gain clarity about tobacco regulation in an effort to enforce state laws (Patch File Photo).