Is Hookah Smoking Dangerous?

What is a hookah?

A hookah is a water pipe that people use for smoking flavoured tobacco. You may have seen one in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The smoke-ring-blowing caterpillar is smoking a hookah. Or you may have seen people in real life smoking a hookah. Many people believe that hookah smoking is safer than cigarette smoking, but this is not true. There is NO safe way to use tobacco. In fact, hookah smoking can be even more harmful than cigarette smoking! 

There are several misconceptions about hookah smoking and the tobacco used in hookahs. Let’s look at some of these misconceptions.

Did You Know?

Tobacco kills more than 47 000 Canadians every year.

Where do hookahs come from?

Hookah smoking is also called shisha smoking. The origins of hookah smoking can be traced back to India in the 15th century. From there, it traveled to Persia. It has remained a popular activity in the Middle East and Northern Africa ever since. Eventually, it gained popularity all over the world. Many young Canadians are attracted to hookah smoking. This is thanks to the misconception that it is not as harmful as other forms of tobacco smoking, such as cigarettes.

How do hookahs work?

Hookahs are tall, freestanding water pipes. The tobacco is placed in a bowl at the top. It is heated using charcoal. The base of the hookah contains water. The smoker draws the smoke into their mouth through a long slender tube. As they do this, the smoke passes through the water. In this way, the smoke gains moisture, which makes it easier to inhale.

Did you know?

Hookah tobacco is soaked in molasses and fruit flavours, which gives the smoke a sweeter taste than cigarette smoke. 

Traditionally, the hookah is smoked in a social setting, often in cafes or restaurants. The pipe is passed from one person to another.

Why is hookah smoking dangerous?

Hookah smoking may seem like a lot of harmless fun. But the damage it does to your body can be quite severe. Like cigarette tobacco, the tobacco used in hookahs contains toxins. For example, it contains tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, and heavy metals. Remember the charcoal that heats up the tobacco? It contains heavy metals, too.

Some people assume that the toxins get dissolved in the water. But this not the case. Toxins such as tar, a potential carcinogen, are not soluble in water. Nicotine is water-soluble. But only small amounts dissolve in the hookah pipe water. This means that you’re still inhaling nicotine when you smoke a hookah. 

Why is hookah smoking more dangerous than tobacco?

The tobacco in a water pipe burns at a lower temperature than tobacco in a cigarette. Because of this, a hookah smoker can inhale tobacco more deeply than a cigarette smoker can. This means tobacco smoke from a hookah can more easily penetrate the lungs than cigarette smoke. 
Also, as you’ve just learned, hookah smoking is traditionally a social activity. People smoke hookahs for longer periods of time than they would spend smoking a cigarette. This results in longer exposure to the smoke. It usually takes 5 to 10 minutes to smoke a cigarette. But a hookah smoking session can last a full hour. That’s a big time difference!

Did You Know?

Smoking a hookah for 30-60 minutes is equivalent to smoking a full pack of cigarettes!

There are many health risks to hookah smoking. They can include cancer, respiratory infections, and heart disease. Sound familiar? That’s because they’re the very same health risks that come from smoking cigarettes. 

Hookah smoking may seem fun and harmless. But consider your health. Say no to hookah!