Brit school kids risking health by enjoying hookah sessions at shisha cafes
By ANIWednesday, February 23, 2011
LONDON - Blackburn police have warned that children as young as 12 are risking their health by smoking hookahs in illegal shisha cafes in Lancashire, UK.
The Daily Mail quoted the police officers as saying that on one occasion, a girl had celebrated her 12th birthday with a three-hour party in a cafe along with her friends, spending 30 pounds on the flavoured hookahs.
Shisha cafes can be licensed but they must adhere to strict health and safety guidelines. However, Trading standards departments have noticed a growing number of shihsa cafes across the country, which are attracting school children.
The paper quoted Chris Allen, the head of public protection for Blackburn, as saying that his officers were now overseeing multiple investigations into shisha cafes.
Describing the dens as Bedouin-style premises decked out with floor cushions, drapes, Allen said: “What we usually find is upwards of 20 or 30 people in these upstairs rooms and we’ve seen places where there are 30 to 40 shisha pipes available. This is an emerging issue countrywide and if any local authority is doing its homework they’ll find a problem.” (ANI)
