Glowing coals from shishas produce carbon monoxide. The gas is odourless and highly toxic. Carbon monoxide poses a mortal danger to staff and guests, as the gas impairs or prevents the transport of oxygen in the blood. The consequences are headaches, dizziness, nausea and respiratory paralysis, as well as damage to unborn babies. But even below these acute effects, it can cause long-term damage to health.

Stricter rules for carbon monoxide:

For this reason, a new binding occupational exposure limit for carbon monoxide (CO) of 20 ppm (23 mg/m³) has been in force in Germany since 15 January 2024. Previously, the limit was 30 ppm (35 mg/m³).

This means that hookah bars now need an even more powerful technical ventilation system. In the guest area, powerful means that since the limit was tightened, at least 200 cubic metres of air per hour and per burning hookah must be removed to the outside and replaced with fresh air. This means that when 10 hookahs are in use at the same time, the ventilation system must deliver at least 2000 m³/h.

This has been determined by the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Foodstuffs and Catering Industry (BGN) in practical tests. Ventilation via open windows and doors is usually not sufficient.

Instead of retrofitting the ventilation system, in many cases it will make more sense to tackle the problem at source and make the smoking process itself low in carbon monoxide. This is more cost-effective and technically easier to implement. The BGN advises operators of hookah bars to convert their businesses to appropriate technologies and recommends three tested methods: One-Cube head, catalyst and electric heating head.

You can find more information on this in our flyer.