Why Is Shisha Smoking Allowed?

[venator]

Shisha parlours are springing up all over, where tobacco, sometimes mixed with perfumed molasses, is smoked in water pipes.
Tobacco smoking is banned. This is tobacco smoking, so why is it allowed?

https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/smoking/shisha

Is it another "cultural practice" we're pussyfooting around?

[hc4361]

A shisha bar is legal only if the smoking takes places in an open space, the same as smoking shelters outside pubs.
They usually have canvas roofs, open sides and patio heaters and must have planning permission and safety certificates.

No pussyfooting around any one group of people. Shisha bars are very popular near universities and people of all races and cultures use them.

[dannyk13]

Shisha parlours are banned in Bradford

[hc4361]

Has Coca Shisha in Bradford been closed down? And Vapour, also in Bradford?

I know they were both very popular.

[Mamyalynne]

Both Coco and Vapour appear to be open still Hc.

[dannyk13]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7233659.stm

[dave50]

If people want to do this leave then leave them be for gods sake. Interfering nanny state/health fanatics trying to lecture people on what's best for them. Ban this, ban that it's bad for you blah blah blah. Who cares? Just do what you want and you health fascists leave us to get on with it please!

[hc4361]

Various councils have closed down shisha bars that don't comply with the smoking laws and other laws and regulations, or fined them and given them compliance orders.

Tobacco smoking is not banned and nor is shisha smoking.

[Mamyalynne]

What was the outcome of that case in 2008 Danny?

[Mamyalynne]

Obviously there are rules to follow, brea those and face a shutdown.

[hc4361]

That link is from 2008 and refers to smoking inside premises - which of course has been illegal since the smoking ban.
Pubs, clubs, cafes, lounges etc can allow people to smoke either cigarettes or shisha in outside areas if they want to.

[dannyk13]

As far as I can remember he was convicted.

[hc4361]

The bar is still open so obviously he or the new owner complied with the laws and rules in the end.

[mikey4444]

Venator...in answer to your last question....no, I don't think it is anything to do with culture at all. It appears from the responses on here today, that these places are complying with the law on smoking in public places, so I can't see that they are at fault at all. Most of the pubs and clubs around my locality are equipped with "smoking shelters" which comply with the law in the same way.

[Buenchico]

The provisions of Chapter 1 of the Health Act 2006 (banning smoking in enclosed public places) were put in place to protect people from passive smoking. i.e. they exist to protect people who aren't smoking, not the smokers themselves.

So, given that hookahs put out very little smoke into the air (as it nearly all goes into the smoker's lungs) a case could probably be argued for exempting their use from the legislation.

However, as the law stands, it is clear that their use (within enclosed public spaces) is illegal:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/28/part/1/chapter/1

[joggerjayne]

We have a fab sheesha bar on West Street. It's up on the roof, multi levels of decking, with big cushions and a roof.

Everyone ends up there after a night out. Students, me and my pals, everyone.

[venator]

So that's all right then