Illegal shisha dens 'attracting children' in Blackburn

Jimmy-J · 24-02-2011, 03:20

Quote:

Children as young as 12 are smoking tobacco in illegal shisha dens across Blackburn, officials have claimed.

Blackburn Trading Standards believe up to 12 of the premises are operating in homes and takeaways - in breach of anti-smoking legislation.

Shisha pipes, or hookahs, are filled with flavoured tobaccos but in public places must be used outdoors.

Trading standards officers said anyone caught flouting the law would be prosecuted.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-12560868

papa smurf · 24-02-2011, 06:31

this isn't like having a quick puff on a fag ,its like drawing in a case of fags in one hit - i believe its not always tobacco thats smoked in them but flavoured herbal mixes this is a description of it from ebay
........................

Soex Shisha Herbal Hukka is a shisha herbal tobacco free hookah smoking substitute which is also nicotine free. The most popular flavours of the soex molasses, enjoyed by many people who have tried several shisha herbal molasses flavours. Soex molasses offer a wide variety of tobacco free hookah flavours.
Not only is it a tobacco free hookah, but soex molasses are 0% nicotine and 0% tar, making them far more appealing than flavoured tobacco products. Due to the tobacco free hookah concept this popular flavour appeals to tobacco users, non tobacco users and those trying to quit tobacco smoking.

not sure how safe herbal substitutes are though.

Russ · 24-02-2011, 06:40

Cue: people who aren't exactly anti-tobacco smoking to turn up and say this is wrong, should be banned, lock them up etc

Dai · 24-02-2011, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa smurf

not sure how safe herbal substitutes are though.

Never had any issues with the herbal substitutes I've used in the past...

unless you count occasional uncontrollable giggling anyway.

**Maggy** · 24-02-2011, 09:01

Hmm!

Quote:

Earlier in February, a 19-year-old cafe owner was fined Â£2,000 after causing an explosion while lighting his pipe with a blow-torch.

Dai · 24-02-2011, 09:52

Definitely a case for a Darwin Award.

dave6x · 24-02-2011, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaiNasty

Definitely a case for a Darwin Award.

Hey thanks for that, reminded me to go look at the 2010 Darwin Award nominees!!!

http://www.darwinawards.com/

haydnwalker · 24-02-2011, 10:34

If its in a "home" how is it in breach of anti-smoking legislation? I can understand the takeaways being in breach of that though.

Its also not illegal for under 18s to smoke, just illegal to purchase such materials. Doesn't mean to say its healthy though

Saaf_laandon_mo · 24-02-2011, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Hmm!

He would have been using one of those mini blowtorches (like chefs use) to light the small pieces of coal on top of the shisha pipe.

I have a lot of friends who smoke Shisha in Shisa bars outside (loads on the Edgware road in London) and at home. I find it a bit of a shock when some of them let their young kids (sometimes 12-16 year olds) smoke. They argue that it is harmless and has hardly any or no nicotine (I'm not sure about that).

The tobacco mixture is usually tobbacco mixed with fruits to give it the sweet scent.

dave6x · 24-02-2011, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa smurf

not sure how safe herbal substitutes are though.

Have to agree there, what is the evidence on the safety of some of these herbal substitutes?

It may be tobacco free but many things produce toxins and carcinogens when burnt!