narghile trouble over in Iran
Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - ©2005 IranMania.com

LONDON, July 26 (IranMania) - Iranians can once more enjoy a traditional narghile water pipe at eateries and cafes after the lifting of a ban aimed at preventing opium addicts and women from smoking, the semi-official Fars agency reported.

The move, which comes just days before the government's mandate expires on August 3, modified the existing ban on smoking tobacco in public places to allow for "consumption in restaurants and traditional cafes," it said.

Police banned the narghile, which has nevertheless continued to be smoked by thousands of Iranian men, earlier this year in the hope of preventing youths smoking tobacco mixed with opium but also to dissuade the Islamic Republic's women from smoking.

The narghile is an oriental water pipe consisting of a tube, through which tobacco smoke is drawn, and a burner stood on top of a round water container through which the smoke is drawn and cooled.

The pipe is often shared by groups of friends.