Ellensburg Hookah Lounge Controversy

[Cough Cough Cough]

A beautiful courtyard and a comfy lounge make for a great hangout, but this new spot has something different– Hookah.“They’ve really expressed a liking for having a place to go at night,” says The Lounge owner, TJ McDonald. TJ says that his top priority when opening The Lounge was giving YOUNG ADULTSa safe place to go.“We provide a safe place at night for THE 18, 19, 20 YEAR OLDS,” TJ says.“I feel like that’s something tha this community is lacking.”

But, this funky hangout IS NOT A HEALTH CLUB, and that’s a problem with the local health district. THEY TOLD ME THAT SMOKING A HOOKAH, LIKE SMOKING CIGARETTES, IS A DANGEROUS HABIT, TJ is NOT arguing.

“I AGREE, SMOKING IS NOT A HEALTHY HABIT, and we make that very clear to our members,” says TJ.

18 YEAR OLD, RJ, is not a member yet, but is a hookah fan.

“It’s their decision, and If they’re smoking hookah it’s their decision to have BAD CHEMICALS IN THEIR LUNGS,” says RJ.

When TJ does visit the lounge, he will have to pay and SIGN A CONTRACT before smoking the sheesha.

Even I had to sign a contract before entering The Lounge. That’s all because this hookah lounge is required to be private. In the state of Washington it is illegal to smoke in an indoor public place. Another rule in Kittitas County is that you can’t sell and smoke tobacco in the same spot–well within 25 feet.

“We follow all the laws that are written,” says TJ.

TJ has every license and every permit, and has every intention of staying open for business.

Giving 18 YEAR OLDS a safe place to unwind–DEPENDING OF COURSE, ON YOUR DEFINITION OF SAFE.

[chemical addiction]

This sounds great we should open one in every part of town. I love emphasima. I particularly like the cool oxygen tanks I get to carry around with me , smoke and toke and tell a joke It's rue way i ride.