MONROVIA, Liberia – August 4, 2026 – Liberia’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has imposed an immediate ban on the sale, distribution, promotion, and use of shisha (hookah) products in nightclubs, bars, lounges, and similar entertainment establishments, marking the second government prohibition on the product in less than a year.
The latest directive, issued by Commerce and Industry Minister Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh on August 3, 2026, instructs entertainment businesses to immediately cease all shisha-related activities, remove shisha equipment from their premises, prohibit patrons from smoking shisha, and ensure strict enforcement by management and staff.
The Ministry warned that violators face immediate closure of their establishments, fines, suspension or revocation of business licenses, and other legal or administrative sanctions. It also announced that routine and surprise inspections will be conducted to ensure compliance.
The latest measure follows a broader public health ban announced by the Ministry of Health on August 22, 2025, when Health Minister Dr. Louise Kpoto declared a nationwide, non-negotiable moratorium on both shisha and tramadol as part of efforts to combat Liberia’s growing drug and substance abuse crisis.
Under the 2025 directive, shisha was completely prohibited in both public and private places, including bars, drinking spots, and homes, while tramadol use was restricted to licensed hospital settings under professional medical supervision.
At the time, Dr. Kpoto described Liberia as being “in the grip of a dangerous drug epidemic,” warning that shisha, often perceived as harmless, contains high levels of nicotine and carcinogens that expose users—particularly young people—to cancer, heart disease, addiction, and other health risks.
The Health Ministry also argued that the abuse of shisha and other controlled substances was destroying families, destabilizing communities, and threatening the future of Liberia’s youth, warning that violators would face arrest, product seizure, and license revocation under the country’s Public Health Law.
While the 2025 order was primarily a public health directive, the new Commerce Ministry action strengthens enforcement from a regulatory and business licensing standpoint by specifically targeting commercial establishments where shisha is sold or consumed.
Officials say the renewed crackdown forms part of the government’s broader efforts to protect public health, enforce tobacco regulations, and curb substance abuse as Liberia continues its fight against narcotics and other harmful substances.
