The effective enforcement of tobacco control legislation is a key element of any comprehensive tobacco control strategy. Laws are already in place that regulate the way that tobacco products are presented for sale and ensure that tobacco is not sold to under 18s.  

Shisha smokers face the same health risks as cigarette smokers, including cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease. More needs to be done to raise awareness and educate people about these risks.

Few niche tobacco products carry health warnings or have UK duty paid on the tobacco content so most are unaware of the health risks involved when smoking shisha.

In the North West trading standards teams, with the support of Tobacco Free Futures, carried out inspections of retailers in communities where niche tobacco was likely to be available.  This included East Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Salford.

Products were inspected for the presence of appropriate health warnings and duty paid information. Non-compliant products were removed from sale, and advice was given to traders on regulations relating to tobacco sales.