Kensington and Chelsea (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Authorities raided Café Diana in Kensington, uncovering 45 tubs of suspected illegal shisha tobacco in a crackdown on unlicensed and non-compliant products.
She once accompanied Princes William and Harry to a bistro with a Princess Diana theme, when dozens of tubs of allegedly illicit shisha tobacco were found.
During a late-night raid, trading standards police reportedly discovered individuals smoking the drug in the basement of the well-known establishment.
The inspectors then confiscated about forty-five unlabeled tubs from the back of the area at Café Diana in Kensington, west London, while collaborating with the Metropolitan Police and Home Office.
According to Kensington and Chelsea Council, the confiscated items are thought to include illegal shisha tobacco, which is frequently fake or smuggled without paying taxes or tariffs.
Princess Diana frequently visited the cafe on Wellington Terrace, close to Kensington Palace, where she once brought William and Harry in for a drink of orange juice in 1989.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, lead member for environment and planning said:
‘Illicit tobacco sales not only damage consumer trust but also undercut law-abiding businesses.
Our officers work hard to educate businesses and ensure they comply with the law for a fair playing field.
This joint operation reflects our commitment to protect our communities and work towards becoming a safer and fairer borough.’
Compliance is increased through initiatives to educate venue owners, employees, and visitors about the dangers of secondhand smoking to their health as well as the regulations.
But there are still gaps in understanding, particularly in less upscale settings where people are less aware of the rules and consequences.
In order to discourage non-compliance and promote adherence to the law, authorities may impose fines or other penalties on venues or individuals where infractions occur.
Following the May 9 search, the council stated that the trade standards team would conduct a thorough investigation and take official action against the company for violating the Health Act and other tobacco-related laws.
The squad was successful in prosecuting two South Kensington businesses earlier this year for distributing shisha products without any health warnings and violating smoking bans.
The space has been turned into a shrine to the “People’s Princess” since it first opened in 1989, with images and publications about her strewn all over the walls.
In addition to seeing Diana, staff members observed the princes’ development, with William paying a single visit with his nanny in the 1990s.
Even Kensington Palace sent a letter of support to the cafe during a difficult time between 1989 and 1994.
What measures are being taken to ensure compliance with smoking laws in cafes in Kensington?
In order to notify patrons of the smoking restriction, venues must prominently post no-smoking signs at entrances and throughout the building. Appropriate signage serves to remind clients and reinforce the smoke-free policy.
In order to effectively enforce the smoke-free regulations, managers and employees are educated to ask customers to quit smoking or to leave if they do not comply. Although research indicates that this occurs seldom and requires improvement, staff intervention is a crucial component in preserving compliance.
Businesses remove ashtrays, ashbins, and other items that encourage smoking indoors, which lessens the temptation for customers to smoke in places that are off-limits.
When venues are found to be in violation of smoke-free regulations, enforcement organizations inspect them and give warnings or penalties. Enforcement may vary, even though some locations are subject to fines or sanctions.