Second shisha cafe fined for allowing indoor smoking...

[dutchman]

A second shisha cafe in Coventry has been fined for allowing people to smoke inside the premises.



Mutaz Salha, aged 41, owner of the Arabiska Cafe, in Broad Street, Foleshill, was fined a total of £850 for breaching no smoking laws.

And as reported by the Telegraph last week, Sarko Ahmad, aged 32, boss of Aladdin’s Shisha Lounge, in King William Street, Hillfields, was fined a total of £260.

Both men pleaded guilty at Coventry Magistrates Court to failing to prevent people from smoking shisha in an enclosed area, contrary to the Health Act 2006.

Ahmad also admitted possessing a tub of banned fruit-flavoured tobacco for supply, and two counts of giving a false name and date of birth to city council officers.

Both premises had been visited by city council officers after concerns were raised about the sale of illegal tobacco, fire safety, lack of planning permission and breaches of the no smoking legislation.

Speaking after the court cases, Coun Joe Clifford (Lab, Holbrooks), chairman of Coventry’s Smoke-Free Alliance, said smoking shisha was just as dangerous as cigarettes.

“Shisha smoking has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly with young people, but many do not realise it contains tobacco,” he said.

“Fruit flavourings and the bubbling water give off the impression that shisha is a safer alternative to cigarettes, but in reality, it can cause serious damage to your health.

“The smoke-free law, which was introduced in 2007, has helped to protect millions of people from the harm of second-hand smoke and has encouraged thousands of smokers to quit the habit for good.”

Nigel Wooltorton, of Coventry City Council’s trading standards department, added: “The smoking of shisha through a water pipe falls under the smoke-free legislation.

“Coventry City Council will continue to undertake regular visits to all the shisha bars in the city to ensure that they are not allowing any sort of smoking within an enclosed public space.”

[rebbonk]

I don't agree with the no smoking law, but the law is the law. What I do find interesting here is the disparity in the fines.