Numerous violations

Numerous charges against shisha bars in Vienna

(Bild: Markus Wenzel)

Ten hookah bars in Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus were busted on Friday as part of a special operation by the City of Vienna's Immediate Action Group together with the police and the ÖGK. Water pipes were being smoked illegally.ö

During a special operation by the City of Vienna's Emergency Measures Group with the police, the financial police, MA 59 (market office) and the ÖGK health insurance fund, water pipes were illegally smoked in ten shisha bars in Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus on Friday.

Blocked emergency exits, indoor smoking ban
Several reports were issued due to the indoor smoking ban as well as unauthorized trade, blocked emergency exits and missing price labels, reported the group Sofortmaßnahmen on Monday.

Violations of current regulations, especially if they pose a potential danger to guests and staff, will not be tolerated.

Walter Hillerer, Leiter des Einsatzteams der Stadt Wien

Inadequate ventilation
In addition, an unauthorized shisha stove was discovered in one of the pubs. Due to inadequate ventilation and a significantly increased CO value during operation of the shisha stove, the premises were immediately evacuated in the presence of the fire department.

A heating ban was also imposed on the shisha oven. "The numerous reports and the eviction of a shisha bar are a clear signal: violations of applicable regulations, especially if they pose a potential danger to guests and staff, will not be tolerated," Walter Hillerer, head of the City of Vienna's operations team, was quoted as saying.