A shisha lounge on the edge of Liverpool city centre has been ordered to close for three months following a joint operation by Liverpool City Council and Merseyside Police. Inspectors discovered customers were illegally smoking shisha inside the fully enclosed premises on multiple occasions, in direct violation of UK health laws.
The business, Infinity Lounge on London Road, was served the closure order by the courts after officials found it repeatedly breached the Health Act 2006. The venue will remain shut until January of next year, and its owners have been warned to implement changes to comply with smoking regulations upon reopening.
Key Takeaways
- Infinity Lounge on London Road has received a three-month closure order.
- Inspections found customers smoking shisha and cigarettes indoors, which is illegal.
- The business had received prior warnings but continued to violate the law.
- The shisha products sold were also found to be non-compliant with UK regulations.
Joint Investigation Uncovers Breaches
The action against Infinity Lounge was initiated after Liverpool City Council's Public Protection officers and Merseyside Police received information about activities within the establishment. They conducted joint visits to investigate the claims.
During their initial inspection, officers entered the premises and confirmed that multiple customers were actively smoking shisha indoors. This activity is a clear violation of national smoking laws designed to protect the public from secondhand smoke.
The owners were issued warnings regarding the illegality of allowing smoking in an enclosed public space. However, these warnings were not heeded, prompting further action from the authorities.
Repeated Violations and Non-Compliant Products
Despite the initial intervention, the business continued to permit indoor smoking. A subsequent visit by inspectors revealed that the illegal practice was still ongoing. During this follow-up inspection, an officer also witnessed a customer smoking a cigarette inside the lounge, compounding the violations.
Further investigation uncovered additional issues with the products being sold. Officials determined that the shisha offered to customers at Infinity Lounge did not comply with UK tobacco regulations. These rules are in place to control the quality and safety of tobacco products available on the market.
Understanding Shisha and UK Law
Shisha, also known as waterpipe tobacco, typically contains a mixture of tobacco, molasses, sugar, and fruit flavourings. While operating a shisha lounge is not illegal in the UK, it is subject to the same laws as other forms of smoking.
The Health Act 2006 made it illegal to smoke any product containing tobacco inside an enclosed or substantially enclosed public space. For a shisha lounge to operate legally, its smoking area must be outdoors or in a structure with at least 50% of its wall space permanently open.
Authorities Emphasize Public Health Risks
Officials have stressed the public health importance of enforcing these regulations. Secondhand smoke from shisha pipes contains harmful toxins, and the law aims to protect both staff and non-smoking customers from exposure.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool's Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, commented on the case, highlighting the broader health implications of smoking.
“Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable ill health and premature death in Liverpool. Many long-term conditions are either caused or exacerbated by smoking. As a product which is smoked and contains tobacco, the law states that shisha cannot be smoked indoors, to protect people from inhaling second hand smoke, which can still be dangerous.”
Councillor Doyle affirmed the council's commitment to enforcement, stating, “We will always investigate premises that are reported to have potentially broken the law and take action as appropriate.”
Closure Order Details
The court-mandated closure order forces Infinity Lounge to cease trading for a period of three months. This measure is intended to prevent further breaches of the law and serve as a warning to other establishments. The business can only reopen if it demonstrates it can operate in full compliance with the Health Act 2006.
Police Support Council Action
Merseyside Police have voiced their support for the closure, emphasizing the importance of partnership working to address such offenses. The joint operation demonstrates a coordinated effort to uphold public safety and health standards in the city centre.
Sergeant Carol McCartney from the Liverpool city centre Neighbourhood Policing Team commented on the result.
“We are pleased with this outcome and will continue to work closely alongside Liverpool City Council and our other partners to take action when such harmful offences are identified.”
The forced closure sends a clear message to business owners that flouting smoking laws will result in significant penalties, including the potential loss of their ability to trade.