It’s Still Tobacco

Protecting the UK from the harms of an unregulated shisha tobacco industry

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The Problem

Shisha is disproportionately used among young people and they are misinformed about its harms.

Current laws cannot be effectively applied to the shisha tobacco industry.

The Solution

Prohibit shisha flavours to reduce underage use and protect young people’s health.

License the activity to ensure better enforcement.

Myth

Shisha tobacco is a much safer alternative to cigarettes. The water within helps filter out any toxins.

Fact

It’s still tobacco! Shisha tobacco is just as harmful as cigarettes; water does not make it any safer. Tobacco smoke contains over 60 cancer-causing chemicals and 200 toxins. Shisha tobacco, like cigarettes, can lead to cancer, heart and lung disease.

Myth

Shisha cafes remain compliant with legislation and generally are socially responsible in their business.

Fact

Across the country shisha cafes are known to ignore tobacco, health and safety, and licensing legislation. Under-age use is common, and little is being done to protect minors from the harms of shisha tobacco.

Myth

Non-tobacco (herbal) shisha does not cause any harm to the body. Herbal shisha is a healthier alternative.

Fact

This type of shisha is still harmful to health. Even 'tobacco-free’ shisha will expose the smoker to carbon monoxide fumes and any toxins from the burning charcoal and herbal substances.

Myth

Occasional and social shisha tobacco use is not addictive and therefore not harmful to long-term health.

Fact

Shisha tobacco smoking produces significant increases in blood nicotine levels, which causes dependence after several uses. Shisha tobacco smoking also spreads infections as a result of sharing mouthpieces, including oral herpes, hepatitis and tuberculosis.

Myth

The shisha industry makes positive contributions to the economy due to taxes and employment opportunities.

Fact

Nearly all shisha tobacco bought and consumed in the UK is not duty-paid, and is therefore illegal, costing the UK tax payer at least £10 million per year.

Myth

Shisha tobacco contains various kinds of fruit flavours, so it is healthier than other forms of tobacco use.

Fact

All forms of tobacco use are known to be life threatening and life shortening, regardless of the flavours used. The flavours mask the dangers of shisha tobacco use.

Local authority enforcement officer, London

“They all know what they’re doing is wrong and illegal, but they carry on doing it because they think they’re going to get away with it or they’d rather take the fine and carry on with their business.”

To find out more about shisha industry malpractice, click here

It's Still Tobacco successfully lobbies eBay to remove all shisha tobacco and non-tobacco products - preventing over £X million/year of illicit tobacco.

To find out more about our achievements, click here

Local authority enforcement officer, London

“During underage test purchasing "there were already children in school uniform [in the shisha cafe] smoking at the same time."

To find out more about underage smoking, click here

Local authority enforcement officer, London

“Increasingly you'll find false doors, false walls, hidden trapdoors in the basements. Doors are locked, windows are obscured, the lights are kept off."

To find out more about fire risks, click here

Professor of Health Psychology, United States

“Even when the smoke has passed through water, which makes it cooler and easier to inhale, that smoke still contains many of the same carcinogens as cigarette smoke."

To find out more about health risks, click here

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The video featured above is a CTRL-Z production. CTRL-Z is the youth prevention arm of Kick-it  Stop Smoking Services and they regularly visit schools and youth clubs to deliver workshops based around the video and shisha usage.
To find out more about CTRL-Z click here