Custom authorities conduct raids Shisha bars come under scrutiny
BONN · Bonn hookah bars were raided this week, having long been under the focus of customs authorities. Medical concerns are also an issue because of the dangers posed by increased CO concentration in the rooms.
Following raids on Bonn hookah bars on Wednesday evening, the Cologne central customs office was evaluating the results. They did not want to release any concrete numbers but Jens Ahland, spokesman for the central customs office, did say they were not “dissatisfied” with the action that took place. The raids were carried out by 21 customs employees, divided into two groups, and members of the Bonn Ordnungsamt, officers charged with keeping public order.
Shisha bars have long been a focus of customs authorities, who are focusing on tobacco which goes untaxed, said Ahland to GA in explaining the reason for the clampdown. Generally, authorities are dependent on leads, especially when it comes to illegal workers or violations of the minimum wage law. If suspicion of untaxed tobacco is confirmed, a preliminary investigation will be initiated.
More complicated are proceedings against possible illegal workers or violations of the minimum wage law. An inspection such as the one carried out on Wednesday night could initially only bring in some evidence, which might then lead to further investigation and searches.
Hookahs increase the CO concentration in rooms
Authorities also inspected gas detectors and fire safety compliance. If the officials had found more than the limit of 60 ppm (parts per million) of carbon monoxide in the air, the bars would have been evacuated due to the risk of life-threatening carbon monoxide poisoning.
Such reports have increased recently - the CO concentration is driven up by the hookah pipes in the closed rooms. At the end of last year, the Düsseldorf University Hospital sounded alarm: More and more shisha smokers are having to be treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. Orig. text: Peter Gassner, Johanna Heinz Translation: Carol Kloeppel
