NUMBERS of shisha cafes in Blackburn with Darwen have remained steady over the last 10 years rising by just one from four to five.

Manchester and Birmingham have seen the biggest increases in Shisha cafes outside of London reveal new figures.

Manchester now has 60 officially registered Shisha cafes, while Birmingham has 34. In 2007 Birmingham only had three in figures announced by advocacy group ‘It’s Still Tobacco’. 

The organisation says the exact number of Shisha cafes in the UK is unknown because Shisha cafes do not need to register with local authorities to trade.

Over half of Shisha cafes are found in London with the City of Westminster reporting 125.

The boroughs of Ealing (10 in 2007 to 50 in 2018), Redbridge (Zero in 2007 to 20 in 2018) and Newham (15 in 2018) also saw increases.

The number of Shisha cafes is said to have risen by 510% to a total of 793 across the UK according to recent Freedom of Information (FOI’s) requests. In 2007 there were believed to be only 130 known shisha cafes.

The figures reveal that since 2007, 63% of prosecutions for flouting smoking regulations have been against Shisha Cafes. In total, over a million pounds has been collected in fines from shisha cafes breaking the law.

David Hunt, Lead Officer for Illicit Tobacco and Alcohol for London Trading Standards said, “Trading Standards across London continue to work with partner agencies to tackle the issue of illegal shisha cafes and attempt to ensure compliance with tobacco control and health legislation.

“All tobacco is hazardous to health and shisha premises which are not complying with the smoke free legislation often cause other risks to customers and staff from the associated dangers from the smoking and second-hand smoke, also the risk of fumes and fire.

“Shisha also has an appeal to young people and Trading Standards works to protect them from these risks.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Graphic courtesy: itsstilltobacco.org

Dr May van Schalkwyk, a public health doctor from It’s Still Tobacco, said: “It is important that local authorities and central government take note of this rising trend. 

“The UK has a long history of being a leader in tobacco control efforts and these could be undermined by ignoring the shisha epidemic that is occurring in the UK and around the world. Tobacco is tobacco – any form of tobacco use is harmful to people’s health and is addictive. 

“Shisha is no exception to the rule. The government is also losing tax revenue as tonnes of shisha tobacco are often introduced illegally.”

The growing number of cafes is a concern. Shisha tobacco use is addictive and has the same health effects as other forms of tobacco smoking. 

Evidence suggests that many young people have their first shisha experience in a café and many under the age of 18, whereas it is illegal to sell tobacco in any form to people under 18.

The biggest increases have been in the following areas.

Sheffield 5 (2007) to 12 (2018)
Bradford 3 (2007) to 9 (2018)
Newcastle Upon Tyne 0 (2007) to 5 (2018)
Leeds 0 (2007) to 19 (2018)
Manchester Unknown in (2007) to 60 (2018)
Leicester 6 (2007) to 11 (2018)
Birmingham 3 (2007) to 34 (2018)
Southampton 0 (2007) to 7 (2018)
Ealing 10 (2007) to 50 (2018)
Redbridge 0 (2007) to 20 (2018)
Barnet 2 (2007) to 18 (2018)
Cardiff 0 (2007) to 10 (2018)
Newham Unknown in (2007) to 15 (2018)
Croydon Unknown in (2007) to 10 (2018)
Lambeth Unknown in (2007) to 10 (2018)

In Lancashire the figures were:

Blackburn with Darwen 4 (2007) to 5 (2018)
Preston 1 (2007) to 3 (2018)
Bolton 1 (2007) to 6 (2018)