LAHORE, Nov 5: The district coordination officer on Monday informed the Lahore High Court that Sheesha cafes fell within the definition of “public places” and could not allow smoking on their premises.

DCO Noorul Ameen Mengal stated except within houses, the smoking was banned at all public places and the petitioners (café owners) could not be allowed to offer smoking paraphernalia at their business places.

The LHC chief justice fixed Nov 26 for further arguments on the petition filed by Sheesha cafe owners and also extended the ban imposed on Sheesha smoking.

The petitioners had submitted that the use of Sheesha was not harmful for health, nor it was a prohibited product. They said the cafes had designated places for Sheesha smoking which did not fall in the category of a ‘public place’.

The petitioners requested the court the government should be restrained from taking coercive measures against the cafes following imposition of a ban on Sheesha use.