THE British Heart Foundation has warned people about smoking Shisha pipes as the trend increases in Bournemouth.

The charity said there are now five restaurants and bars in Bournemouth offering the smoking pipes, which pass flavoured tobacco smoke through water.

Dr Mike Knapton, associate director of the BHF, said: “Contrary to popular belief, Shisha is not safer than smoking cigarettes.

“Don’t be duped by the sweet smell and fruity flavours – if you use a Shisha you are a smoker and you are putting your health at risk.”

The BHF said Shisha smoking is linked to the same diseases as cigarette smoking – heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases and problems with pregnancy.

A survey showed 44 per cent of young people thought it was less harmful than smoking. But the BHF said during a typical hour long Shisha session, you can inhale the same amount of smoke as in 100 cigarettes.

Michael Cooke is the co-owner of Camel Bar on Bournemouth’s Christchurch Road, which offers Shisha pipes in its outdoors smoking area.

He said: “We were the first place in Bournemouth to do it, and Shisha offers a choice between smoking normally or inhaling through pipes.

“Our premises use products that do not contain tobacco, but I acknowledge it is a form of smoking even so.”

Ben Maatoug, owner of Bedouin restaurant in Charminster, said: “At a busy time, we can get through maybe 120 Shisha pipes in one day.

“The majority of people, about 70 per cent, are from countries where Shishas are traditional, but it’s becoming popular with Europeans too.

“The charcoal burns the fruit and it comes through the water and that is meant to clean up. But it still has some tar even though it has no nicotine.

“I smoke two or three a day, and I smoke cigarettes as well. I think it’s up to the individual to choose.”

The BHF said the figures on the number of bars came through Freedom of Information requests to councils.