Shisha bar fined nearly £4,000 for allowing smoking indoors

Owners of a Blackburn Shisha bar pleaded guilty to smoking offences.

Rizwan Aiyub Adam (28) and Ikram Adam (30), who own Dahna Lounge in Barton Street, Blackburn, were fined £2,860 with additional costs awarded to the Council of £1,100.

Dahna Lounge has two companies operating from the premises – Table 9 Dining Limited and Sweet Tooth Desserts and Shisha Limited.

The two directors pleaded guilty to offences of allowing smoking in an enclosed place. The prosecution case was presented to Blackburn Magistrates’ Court by a solicitor from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

The Council’s Public Protection Service visited the Shisha bar on March 26^th this year and carried out an enforcement visit to check on compliance with smoke free legislation.

When the business first opened the premises was shown to comply with the requirements of smoke free legislation but subsequent building works have made the business enclosed. Advice and information provided to the defendants during previous visits had not been heeded and the officers found a number of people smoking Shisha or hookah pipes in the enclosed area.

Councillor Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said:

Most pubs, restaurants, cafes and the majority of smokers have taken their responsibilities to comply with the indoor smoking ban seriously. However, where the Council finds businesses or individuals who are flouting the law we will take appropriate action.

Smoking Shisha poses a serious health risk both to those smoking as well as others who may be exposed to second hand smoke. Smoke from Shisha carries the same health risks as cigarette smoking. There is a misconception that Shisha is less harmful because smoke passes through water within the pipe but the water does not significantly reduce the level of harmful chemicals that are inhaled.”