SHISHA bar owners in Luton are being warned that they will face legal action if they break the law.
Surprise visits to local Shisha bars by Luton Borough Council and HM Revenue and Customs officers revealed that some premises failed to meet legal requirements, and Shisha products containing tobacco that had no evidence of duty paid were seized.
Businesses must meet the law in terms of product labelling, under-age sales, tax and duty, smoking in public premises, fire, health and safety, licensing, noise, planning and building control.
Councillor Aslam Khan said: “There’s no excuse for breaking the law - it’s there to protect all of us. We are particularly concerned about the potential risks of Shisha on young people who are often not mature or experienced enough to assess the potential risks associated with smoking it. In fact, a recent quick survey in Luton revealed that most 18-24 year olds who took part had no idea that smoking Shisha for one hour is the equivalent of inhaling 200 cigarettes.”
Shisha smoke contains chemicals known to cause lung cancer, heart disease and other diseases. There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke so any exposure is harmful, even to secondhand smoke.
By law, anyone under the age of 18 must not be sold tobacco and products must be properly labelled so the public know the harm it can cause.
Areas where smoking can take place must have planning permission and must be more than 50 per cent open to the outside so people are not exposed to harm from second-hand smoke.
Businesses who do not prevent smoking in a smoke-free place can be fined £2500, and customers found smoking in a smoke-free place can be given a fixed penalty notice of up to £50.
Maddy Ratnett from HMRC said: “We are working with our partners to stamp out any illegal activities concerned with the sale of illegal tobacco products. During joint operations, we will be taking firm action against anyone found selling non duty-paid products.”
Enforcement officers are continuing to carry out surprise visits to local Shisha bars to ensure the law is being followed.
For more information see www.healthandsafety@luton.gov.uk or call 01582 510330. If you are already running or thinking about starting a Shisha business visit www.everythingregulation.org.uk