Shisha bars ‘flouting the smoking laws’

SHISHA bars across Britain have been accused of flouting smoking and fire safety laws.

The bars, which originated in the Middle East, are filling empty shops and promoting communal smoking. Shisha is a mix of tobacco and flavouring which is smoked through a tube.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which speaks for councils, warns many of the bars are breaking the law by allowing smoking indoors or letting under 18s smoke. It is asking for extra powers to vet or revoke shisha bar licences and seize equipment from those ignoring licensing conditions or breaking the law.

The number of shisha bars has more than trebled in recent years, with more than half of all councils now having one.