It aims to combat the misconception that smoking shisha is safer than cigarettes. The campaign also aims to make people aware that by smoking shisha in an enclosed public space they are actually breaking the law and could be fined £50.
There are a number of common myths associated with smoking shisha. One is that people assume that because the tobacco is flavoured and passes through water first that it is not as dangerous as cigarettes.
Starting on 8 October the campaign will run for eight weeks until December. The campaign will focus on raising awareness of the dangers and the health impact of shisha and will involve enforcement of the existing smoke free legislation.
There has been a phenomenal rise in the number of shisha bars in Manchester, with up to thirty springing up in the Rusholme/ Wilmslow Road area alone since 2009. This has coincided with a rise in the number of young people smoking shisha.
Councillor Glynn Evans, Manchester City Council’s executive member for Adults' Health and Wellbeing, said: "First and foremost we want to make people aware that smoking shisha is as dangerous as smoking cigarettes and is harmful to people's health. Many people are still unaware that shisha pipes actually contain tobacco as the use of herbs or fruit as flavourings masks the tobacco, so we want to give them the facts. We are concentrating our efforts in the Rusholme area because this is where the vast majority of bars are situated. We also want to remind anyone smoking shisha in an enclosed space that this is illegal and if they are found doing so they could be fined - which is why we are working with our enforcement colleagues to get the message across as part of our campaign.”
There are a number of common myths associated with smoking shisha. One is that people assume that because the tobacco is flavoured and passes through water first that it is not as dangerous as cigarettes. However the carcinogens and nicotine are still there, with the added risk that you inhale more because it is smoked for longer than a cigarette. There are also risks associated with second hand smoke posing a serious risk to the health of non-smokers.
Health professionals believe that regular shisha smokers can expect to be at risk of similar health problems that cigarette smokers face, including respiratory problems, heart disease or cancer. And, as with other tobacco products it can be addictive.
