BONGS, pipes and other implements are on sale in city shops despite devices being banned three years ago.

At least two city shops - within 100m of the Hindley St police station - are selling "smokeless" pipes, glass pipes and chillum pipes, traditionally used for smoking cannabis.

The Off Ya Tree shop on Hindley St also sells a "designer liquid pourer" which can be easily converted into a bong.

Police said illicit drug paraphernalia was banned in 2008 but the legislation has failed to stop the sale of all items, including those being offered over the counter at the Off Ya Tree and Happy Herbs on Bank St. But Drug Investigation Branch Superintendent Derryn Phillips said police were keen to work with Attorney-General John Rau to tighten the legislation and get all drug-taking implements off shop shelves.

"It is the case that some implements that may possibly be adapted or used for illicit drug consumption are not covered under the current legislation," Supt Phillips said. "Police would be happy to work with the Attorney-General, should he wish to undertake a review of the laws."

The pipe and bong ban legislation was introduced by independent MLC and anti-drugs campaigner Ann Bressington as a Private Members Bill and was passed with the support of the Government.

Ms Bressington said "many parents breathed a sigh of relief" when the sale of illicit drug paraphernalia became illegal three years ago.

"While most types of pipes and bongs are gone from the shelves, some more obscure drug-using devices are still available," she said.

"The fact that pipes and makeshift bongs remain on sale clearly reveals that Parliament's intention has not been fully followed through."

Mr Rau said he was "concerned to ensure that the legislation works as effectively as possible to prevent the sale of drug implements".

"I am interested in discussing this issue with Ms Bressington and the police and taking advice from the Crown Solicitor to see if the law needs to be tightened," he said.

Retailers such as Off Ya Tree are also able to use the internet to circumvent the drug implement ban.

The Off Ya Tree site offers various types of bongs, pipes, "stash tins" including hollow batteries with screw tops, and plastic "baggies" used by drug dealers.

nankervisd@sundaymail.com.au