Shutting down a few hookah bars a few weeks ago might have left a lot of teenagers disgruntled in the city, but owners of shops selling hookah machines are a happy lot.Popular among regulars who crave their daily flavoured puff, the ‘Kashmiri Emporiums’ in malls and other parts of the city have been a source of manna in the wilderness. “This month, we have had exceptional sales and our entry level hookahs (Rs 850-Rs 1,800) have been moving very well,” says Kishore, a salesman at an emporium in Spencer Plaza. “In fact, we won’t even mind giving an Aadi discount if sales keep up at this rate!” he adds with a smile. Another shop owner offers to part with larger models for half the rate because they are the only ones left in his stock. “This brass and marble piece that I have had for four years is usually sold at Rs 5,000, but I am willing to sell it even at `3,000 because we are actually re-ordering stock from Jaipur after only three months,” he chirps.When asked if hookahs can be transported overseas, Kishore says he “100 per cent certain” that they can be exported, adding that a large part of his clientele are foreigners. “We dismantle and pack the hookah part by part so that the airport authorities have no issues with it,” he says. The spike in sales has been noticed since late 2009, explains Kishore. “Somehow, people realised that instead of paying Rs 500 for an hour of smoking the hookah, they can actually buy a pipe for double that and use it for life.” All the basic flavours—orange, peach, apple, mint, chocolate and strawberry are available at Rs 90 per packet, while the more exotic essences cost “a little more”.
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