Restaurants in Lviv have been fined over 20 million hryvnias for serving hookahs
22 May 07:56
Since the beginning of 2026, restaurants and cafes in Lviv have already been fined more than 20 million hryvnias for violating anti-smoking laws, specifically for allowing hookahs in their establishments. This was reported by the press service of the Lviv City Council, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
Hookahs are banned not only indoors
With the start of the summer season in Lviv, there has been an increase in complaints from residents regarding hookah smoking on the outdoor patios of dining establishments.
The Lviv City Council emphasizes that the ban applies not only to the indoor areas of restaurants.
Smoking, consumption, and use of hookahs are prohibited:
- inside restaurants, cafes, and bars;
- on outdoor patios;
- on terraces;
- in other open service areas of establishments.
The Lviv City Council also emphasizes that the ban applies regardless of whether the hookah mixture contains tobacco.
Why Lviv is tightening controls
With the start of the warm season, outdoor seating areas in the city traditionally become more active. This is precisely why residents are complaining more frequently about hookah smoking in public places and near restaurants.
Due to the increase in such complaints, the Lviv City Council’s Department of Economic Development has appealed to the Main Directorate of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Lviv Oblast, requesting that they strengthen enforcement and conduct inspections within their authority.
How many fines have already been imposed
According to the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, 531 inspections were conducted in 2025 regarding the distribution of tobacco products and e-cigarette liquids.
As a result of these inspections, fines totaling over 29 million UAH were imposed.
Since the beginning of 2026, another 365 inspections have been conducted, and the total amount of fines has exceeded 20 million UAH.
In total, for 2025 and the beginning of 2026, fines amounted to over 49 million UAH.
What fines are imposed for violations
Significant financial penalties are imposed on establishments for violations of anti-smoking laws.
| Violation | Amount of fine |
|---|---|
| First violation | up to 30,000 UAH |
| Repeat violation within a year | up to 50,000 UAH |
Such fines may be imposed on establishments that allow the use of hookahs indoors or on outdoor patios.
The Department of Economic Development of the Lviv City Council is urging businesses to comply with the law and take a responsible approach to the health of their visitors.
“There is no such thing as safe smoking. We urge businesses to comply with the law and take a responsible approach to the health of their visitors,” emphasized the Department of Economic Development of the Lviv City Council.
Why hookahs are banned
Hookahs in food service establishments are prohibited under anti-smoking legislation. The legislative rationale is to protect people from tobacco smoke, aerosols, combustion products, and harmful substances in public places.
Therefore, an establishment cannot circumvent the ban by claiming that the mixture is supposedly “tobacco-free.” The city council emphasizes: the very fact of using hookahs in restaurants constitutes a violation.
