Is hookah bad for you?

People have used hookahs for centuries in ancient Persia and India. Today, people often smoke a hookah as a group, at home or in cafes or lounges.

Other names for a hookah include water pipe, narghile, or shisha, the latter being a word that can also refer to the flavored tobacco.

Some people have misconceptions that hookah smoking is not harmful to their health or not as dangerous as other smoking types. In this article, we look at the health risks associated with hookah smoking.

Health risks of hookah smoking

A hookah has several universal components, including a water bowl, metal body, a head with holes in the bottom, and a flexible hose with a mouthpiece.

The device works by burning charcoal that will then burn a tobacco mixture, as well as heat up the water. The smoke the charcoal generates helps move the tobacco through the water and hose and up to the mouthpiece.

Using a hookah exposes a person to tobacco smoke, which contains harmful components, such as carbon monoxide. The water in the hookah does not filter out these components.

Even if a person does not smoke directly from the hookah, they can still inhale secondhand smoke if they are nearby.

Some of the potential health effects of hookah smoke include:

• Complications of lung function, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchitis.
• Increased risk of heart conditions, such as heart disease and heart attack.
• Increased risk of cancer, especially lung, throat, and mouth cancer.
• Premature skin aging, since smoking tobacco can decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches the skin.
• Increased risk of infectious diseases, such as mononucleosis and oral herpes.

People may also increase their risk of respiratory infections if they share the hookah mouthpiece with others.

Some hookah bars sell non-tobacco products, which they may advertise as having no harmful effects. This is a myth, as the smoke still contains carbon monoxide, a harmful compound, and other toxins.

Other myths about hookah smoking include:

• Hookah smoking is not addictive. Hookah smoke contains nicotine, a highly addictive compound.
• The water in hookah smoke filters harmful ingredients. The water in hookah smoke does not filter out any harmful chemicals.
• Cigarettes “burn” the lungs because they use heat, and hookah smoke is cooler, so it does not burn. Smoke from a hookah can still damage the heart and lungs, even after cooling down.

Takeaway

While some people believe hookah smoking is a safer and more social alternative to smoking tobacco, it does not offer health benefits and poses several significant health risks.

Hookah smoking also puts other people at risk of inhaling secondhand smoke. So, to reduce the risks of damaging the lungs and other organs, it is best for people to avoid smoking tobacco products, including by using a hookah.

Source: Read Full Article