Oxford bar fined £7,000 for illegal shisha advertising

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 10:48 · Archive

An Oxford bar has been ordered to pay £6,949.16 after pleading guilty to illegal advertising of waterpipe tobacco products.

Spirit Bar Ltd, which operates Thirst Bar in Park End Street, Oxford, pleaded guilty to a single offence under the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 at Reading Magistrates' Court on 2 October. The company was ordered to pay fines, costs and surcharges totalling £6,949.16.

Oxfordshire County Council's trading standards team identified numerous Facebook and Instagram posts featuring waterpipes, references to shisha prices and promotional content associated with the venue's shisha garden. The evidence included photographs, videos, hashtags and images showing shisha-related signage and pricing.

During the investigation, the company admitted that the social media posts were intended to promote the venue and attract customers. It acknowledged using shisha-related hashtags and imagery across its social media platforms. The adverts remained online for weeks after officers brought them to the attention of one of the directors.

Councillor Kate Gregory, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, said tobacco advertising has been prohibited for many years because of the known harm caused by tobacco products, and that businesses must ensure their websites, social media accounts and promotional material comply with the law.

How it is being reported

• Oxford bar ordered to pay almost £7,000 over illegal shisha offenceAn Oxford bar has been ordered to pay almost £7,000 over an illegal shisha offence.Oxfordshire Guardian · 12 Oct, 10:42
• Oxford bar ordered to pay almost £7,000 over illegal shisha offenceAn Oxford bar has been ordered to pay almost £7,000 over an illegal shisha offence.Oxford Mail · 12 Oct, 10:42

In this story: Spirit Bar Ltd · Thirst Bar · Oxfordshire County Council · Kate Gregory · Oxford · Reading

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