May 11, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Crime prevention specialist Paula Dickenson, USN retired, with the Sheriff’s substation in Alpine has issued a warning about hidden hazards of hookah lounges and bars.

Hookahs pose risks of hepatitis and tuberculosis transmission as well as hazards associated with tobacco and the chemicals that the tobacco contain.

Below is full text of information provided by the Sheriff’s office:

Are hookah lounges good for our youth?

By Debra Gilly

October 25, 2010 (Spring Valley) -- Last week, our County Planning Commission approved the request for a liquor license by Blu Flayme, a hookah lounge located in a strip mall known to be a popular hang-out for Monte Vista High School students. Owners of the hookah lounge believe that smoking hookah is a good bonding and cultural experience they would like to share and promote with our young people (according to a marketing plan they presented before a planning committee at the San Miguel Fire Station).