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Hubble Bubble, Boil for Trouble. Shisha: an emerging issue. Nigel.Smith@phe.gov.uk Health Improvement Manager. What is Shisha?. Also known as hookah pipes, nargil, hubble bubble pipes etc.
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Hubble Bubble, Boil for Trouble Shisha: an emerging issue Nigel.Smith@phe.gov.uk Health Improvement Manager
What is Shisha? • Also known as hookah pipes, nargil, hubble bubble pipes etc. • Tobacco smoked through traditional water pipe traditionally popular amongst older men in middle eastern communities, increasingly popular amongst younger people from a wide range of backgrounds. • British Heart Foundation estimate 210% increase in Shisha bars nationally since 2007. • 1 in 4 16-18 year olds (1 in 10 11-16 year olds) has tried shisha. Tobaccos are often illicit and flavoured, which appeal to younger people. • Effects of smoking and second hand smoke are as harmful, if not more than cigarettes.
Why is it an issue? Regulatory Services • Shisha bars design ‘smoking areas’ that challenge Smokefree legislation: Prosecution / fines have little impact on business and often considered ‘a running cost’. • Use of illicit tobacco • Abuse and intimidation of officers Health harms: • Inhalation • Infectious disease transmission via mouth pieces e.g. TB • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning • Fire risks • Tobacco content Other • Links in some areas to other illegal activities including grooming and underage prostitution
Case Studies • Sandwell MBC: First planning committee to refuse planning permission for a Shisha bar. Overturned by National Planning Inspectorate on grounds of “bringing back a currently vacant property back into economic use”. • Coventry City Council: Shisha the Truth Campaign
Action • Action is required nationally to strengthen smokefree legislation and locally to ensure decision makers have the evidence to take action. • Local Authorities in the West Midlands listed this as the top thing that they wanted help from PHE to tackle. • We ran a survey of English LA’s: 122 responded, overwhelming support for a toolkit of resources. • A toolkit designed to support Local Authorities is being developed nationally by PHE West Midlands and PHE London in collaboration with local authorities, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, National Trading Standards Institute, DH, LGA, WHO Healthy Cities Network, UCLAN and of course Local Authorities. • Toolkit is scheduled for launch in the Spring 2014
Shisha the Local Challenge – Questions for Local Authorities • Is shisha an emerging issue in the local area? • Has there been a significant growth in the number of planning applications for shisha bars / those accepted? • Has there been an increase in fines to shisha bars re: smokefree legislation? • Has there been an increase in illicit tobacco use linked to shisha bars? • Is Tobacco Control included in the Health and Wellbeing plan and does it include shisha? • Is there a tobacco control alliance locally and does it include HMRC?