A BUSINESSMAN has been fined for allowing people to smoke flavoured tobacco inside a city restaurant.
Environmental health officers are now warning of the potential dangers of smoking shisha, which is becoming increasingly popular in Hull.
Firas Ali, owner of Al Zehoor restaurant in Beverley Road, was made to pay £275 in court fines and costs after ignoring warnings to stop allowing people to smoke inside.
Hull City Council say there are five city businesses that sell shisha, a type of flavoured tobacco smoked through pipes.
Health experts say smoking shisha can have the same negative health effects as cigarettes and sharing pipes can also carry the risk of spreading infectious diseases, including oral herpes and tuberculosis.
City councillor John Hewitt, portfolio holder for neighbourhood and communities, said: "The owner clearly did not have any regard for the law, but also had no concern for the health of his staff and customers.
"There is a high rate of compliance of the smoke-free legislation in Hull and there is overwhelming support from the general public and businesses.
"However, there is a small minority that don't abide by the smoke-free law.
"I would like to remind people that smoking shisha is governed by the same legislation as other types of smoking because it is equally harmful to your health."
Environmental health officers received complaints about people smoking in a room at the back of the restaurant in May and June.
When they visited the premises, Mr Ali was warned about the law banning people from smoking inside.
However, on another visit in June, officers saw "a large number" of people being allowed to smoke shisha and cigarettes inside the restaurant.
Mr Ali was taken to Hull Magistrates Court, where he admitted breaching the Health Act 2006.
Staff from the city council have been working with their counterparts in Bradford, where shisha bars are more common.
Environmental health officer Sally Hill said: "Shisha bars are becoming quite popular in Hull and they are a growing concern.
"Although we know of five places that do sell shisha, we believe there are more we don't know about and that may be because they are complying with the legislation.
"Our main concern is the negative health effects it can have, although people seem to think it is herbal and safe to smoke because it smells fruity and tastes sweet.
"They don't see it as smoking, but it has nicotine and tobacco in and can be just as addictive as smoking cigarettes.
"You can also get communicable diseases from sharing the pipe, even if you change the mouthpiece, because germs build up inside the tube.
"We want people to be aware of the health risks it can cause."
Mr Ali was unavailable for comment.
