Use of Hookah Legally Prohibited in Dominican Republic

The Dominican President recently enacted legislation (Law 16-19) prohibiting the use of hookah at indoor places and in vehicles.

This follows a 2018 resolution by the Minister of Health, that forbade advertising or selling hookah to minors under 18 years old.

The grounds of the new law contain justifications mainly on health issues and “to protect” teenagers and young people. It recognizes that the use of hookah is normal in the Middle East and other countries “but in the Dominican Republic it has been used for inadequate uses”.  It also says that the use of hookah has increased drug consumption.

The new law has fines against the owners of places where hookah is being consumed and for the users, up to $200 (which is the approximate monthly salary for minimum wage).