Can a shisha café promote hookah on WhatsApp?

No. WhatsApp bans selling and promoting tobacco, and Meta's violation list names hookahs. Unlike alcohol, tobacco has no country exception, and a local licence doesn't change that.

• Hookahs, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, rolling papers and e-cigarettes are all on Meta's list of items a business may not transact in.
• The policy prohibits buying, selling and promoting them, irrespective of any licence or approval you hold.
• The policy's country exceptions cover only online gambling, over-the-counter drugs and alcohol messaging. Tobacco has none.
• Repeat violations, with sale of alcohol and tobacco named as high-risk, lead to sending blocks, an account lock and permanent removal.
• We found no official ruling on a café that merely mentions its shisha lounge. Keep hookah out of your catalog, orders and offers.