TRADERS in Canterbury have branded a crackdown on the sale of drug smoking gear mis-guided.

Police officers working in partnership with the city council and the Kent Drug Action Team have visited retailers to advise them that they may be breaking the law if they sell drugs paraphernalia.

The caution has been aimed at stalls and shops that openly sell products used to grind hash, specialist pipes and certain types of cigarette papers that could encourage the use of cannabis and other illegal drugs.

Traders do not believe banning their products would have any effect on drug use.

Kash Francis, manager of Third Eye, in Canterbury High Street, said: "I don't think what they are doing is helpful. If people want to smoke a bong and they can't buy one, they'll just make one out of a coke bottle instead.

"I didn't think it was against the law to sell this stuff. We've been selling it for 10 years without any trouble and it's regular, ordinary people who come in to buy it."

Siesta, in Palace Street, sells cigarette papers, posters and other accessories decorated with cannabis leaves.

Manager Laurissa Woolgar has not received a visit but cannot see why she should stop selling the merchandise. She stressed: "People have been selling things with hash leaves on since the 60s.

"It's a silly idea to suggest that just because kids see something with a hash leaf on they might think it's legal. They all know it's illegal. I can maybe understand why they would crack down on bongs or pipes, but they can be used without drugs."

It is thought to be the first time in Kent that action has been taken to target the perceived promotion of drug use through the sale of paraphernalia and the police visit will be backed up by a letter.

Drug liaison officer PC Dale Lowes said: "There are a number of retailers in the area selling articles that are clearly intended for use with drugs.

"In selling these articles the retailers are promoting drugs and therefore in an indirect way are helping to sustain the market for drug dealers and furthering the myth that cannabis is legal.

"Young people seeing these items on display could end up thinking that drugs are acceptable and fashionable."