Against the backdrop of growing demand for deadly 'shisha' (hookah) among the youths, the Department of Narcotic Control (DNC) has proposed incorporating it as a drug in the related law, reports BSS.
"We have sent a proposal to the government with a request to include shisha as a drug in the law as its addiction among the young generation is increasing gradually," DNC Director General (DG) Md Jamal Uddin said.
The Home Ministry had earlier formed an inter-organisational probe body following a High Court (HC) order asking the authorities concerned to take legal measures to stop the menace of shisha smoking upon news published in newspapers.
The probe body collected eight samples from different shisha lounges at Gulshan and found the presence of cannabis in five of those samples after conducting chemical examinations of the samples at the DNC Chemical Lab at Gandaria in Old Dhaka.
The body made some recommendations to take measures against taking shisha as the presence of cannabis was found in the chemical examination. But, there is no scope to take legal actions on shisha as it is not a scheduled drug as per the existing Narcotics Control Act, 1990.
Asked about the rapid growth of shisha trade, particularly in the posh areas, Additional Director of DNC, Golam Kibria, who is now on LPR, told the news agency on Saturday, "At least 80 shisha lounges have already been set up at different restaurants in Gulshan, Dhanmondi, Baridhara, Banani, Bailey Road and Uttara. The number of shisha lounges is increasing day by day due to its popularity among the tobacco consumers. Youths from well-off families are the main consumers of the shisha lounges."
"Taking shisha with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most dangerous as one kilogram THC is produced from 100 kg cannabis," he added.
In most of the raids of DNC, the youths from well-off families were found taking shisha with THC which poses threats to health as well as security, he opined.
He also said the smoke produced by a hookah contains high levels of toxic substances, including carbon monoxide and cancer-causing chemicals. It is also responsible for cardiovascular diseases.
Experts said the shisha smokers may absorb higher concentrations of the toxins found in cigarette smoke.
