Six L.A.-area hookah lounges cited for variety of violations

Six Los Angeles-area hookah lounges were recently cited for a variety of violations during a series of compliance checks, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The lounges, located in Van Nuys and Sherman Oaks, were cited for violating smoking and alcohol laws, including smoking inside a workplace and in a location where food is consumed.

Smoking in a business serving food and alcohol is illegal under state and local law, LAPD Officer Brian Frost said in a statement.

Lounges that offer only hookah, however, are allowed. The LAPD did not name the lounges that had suspected violations, citing an ongoing investigation.

Matt Hansen can be reached at matt.hansen@latimes.com or on Twitter @mtthnsn.