Shisha bar fined

Picture courtesy of Oldham Council

A shisha bar was found to be flouting smoke-free laws when it was visited by officers from Oldham Council’s Environmental Health department.

A visit to Two Apples, Rochdale Road, Oldham in May last year found the manager and other persons in control of the management of the smoke free premises failed to stop people smoking shisha pipes.

Customers were openly smoking tobacco shisha pipes in a smoke-free room that had less than 50 per cent ventilation - a contravention of the Health Act 2006.

Under the Act it is illegal to smoke shisha pipes – whether they contain water or tobacco – in an enclosed space as they produce second hand smoke.

Oldham Council has now successfully prosecuted Two Apples Oldham Limited, trading as Two Apples and manager Mohammed Kayali (aged 49) of Rochdale Road, Oldham.

Kayali pleaded guilty by post to one charge under the Health Act 2006.

He was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £150 plus costs of £650.

Two Apples Oldham Limited was also fined £2,500 with a victim surcharge of £170 and costs of £625.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: “Smoking tobacco is an unhealthy habit which we’d never encourage.

“However, shisha bars must operate within the law.

"If they don’t then we will not hesitate to take action.”