TWO venues for smoking water pipes have been shut down in Tower Hamlets and another six are facing prosecution. The Town Hall said it visited venues for smoking shisha in a joint operation with the police in a bid to stamp out illegal smoking in public pl

TWO venues for smoking water pipes have been shut down in Tower Hamlets and another six are facing prosecution.

The Town Hall said it visited venues for smoking shisha in a joint operation with the police in a bid to stamp out illegal smoking in public places.

The council's lead member for the environment Abdal Ullah said: "Wherever cigarettes can't be smoked, shisha can't be smoked. Some people fail to understand this restriction because they think shisha is a safer alternative to cigarette smoking.

"That's why we are also working with NHS Tower Hamlets to educate people on the dangers of shisha smoking.