Councilmembers in Tehachapi have passed a ban on hookah lounges within that city’s limits.

City manager Greg Garrett says the decision was made after looking into  health the effects and crime levels at similar smoking facilities in Kern County and Bakersfield.

“We quickly came to the realization that it would be a negative impact in our community,” he said. “We did a lot of research with (the Kern County Public Health Department), and quickly realized this is something we don’t want to have in our city,” he said.

The discussion was prompted after an entrepreneur proposed buying a vacant building in the city and converting it into a lounge. The vote on Monday was unanimous.

– Anthony Pollreisz