(MENAFN- Arab News) JEDDAH: The Control and Investigation Board (CIB) Makkah is looking into allegations that municipal officials in Jeddah are going easy on shisha cafes in indoor locations.
Since the middle of last month cases of violation were registered against eight cafes for failing to abide by regulations pertaining to shisha local media reported Sunday.
The Jeddah governor has put the responsibility on local mayors saying it was their job to enforce greater monitoring.
The CIB found 31 establishments violating the rules and the municipal officials failed to take action against them because of the small number of police personnel.
A campaign by the Jeddah municipality against violating restaurants resulted in the closure of 1304 violating facilities during the past two months. However the CIB questioned seven officials and six employees of the municipality and found weak procedures of branch municipalities. They were found lacking in control of cafes and restaurants that violate the decision of the Ministry of Interior on banning smoking in closed areas.
All the governorates have been informed about the importance of applying the royal decree that prevents smoking in ministries government establishments and public institutions. Smoking is also banned in all closed areas including cafes restaurants and shopping malls as well as in crowded areas.