Preston shisha cafe fined for breaching smoke safety laws

Inside the shisha lounge where inspectors found the offence taking place

The company operating a shisha cafe in Preston’s Docklands has been fined.

Misty Blue Limited, who run the Ignite Shisha cafe in Watery Lane, broke rules about failing to prevent customers smoking in a smoke-free place.

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Environmental health officers from Preston City Council had visited the cafe on 28 January this year to find up to 40 customers sitting around tables smoking from shisha pipes in a room which was fully enclosed.

The firm had said the smoking room could be opened but was closed because of ‘inclement weather’ at the request of customers to warm up the room.

The Ignite Shisha cafe in Watery Lane Pic: Google

Cabinet member for planning and regulation councillor John Swindells said: “Many people see smoking shisha as a social activity and are not aware of the harm it can cause. Operating shisha businesses is an area of great concern to us because there are some very significant health issues associated this shisha premises and we want to ensure public safety for staff working in these premises and customers.

“The law on smoking in workplaces and enclosed public spaces applies as much to the use of shisha as it does to cigarettes. It’s up to responsible shisha businesses to ensure they comply with smoke-free legislation and that their customers observe the smoking ban. Where they don’t, we will work with our partners across the city and prosecute offenders.

“In this case the court has found that not only had this company again broken the law, but that it had also encouraged individuals to break the law by providing them with the facilities to smoke shisha in an enclosed workplace.”

The shisha pipes found in the cafe

Misty Blue pleaded guilty to failing to prevent customers from smoking in a smoke-free place and were fined £1,600.

They were also fined for pleading guilty to providing facilities and equipment for smoking in a smoke-free place, thereby intending to encourage and assist offences of smoking. This fine, imposed by Preston Magistrates’ Court, was £5,000. A payment of £955 costs and £120 victim surcharge were added to the total.