Hot Topic (8/16): Do you (or your kids) hookah?
Do you (or your kids) hookah?
LINK - Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD
A hookah—also known as hubbly bubbly, shisha, or narghile—is an elaborate glass based waterpipe used for smoking tobacco. You have probably seen it in movies based in Arab countries, but may not be aware that its use has become very widespread among college students in the US and other western countries. Special tobacco (usually moist with added sweeteners and flavors) is placed in the bowl at the top of the apparatus and heated with burning charcoal. During inhalation the smoke from the charcoal is pulled through the tobacco down the pipe and towards the water. After bubbling through the water, the cooled smoke surfaces and is drawn through the hose and inhaled.
The smoke delivered by a waterpipe contains similar concentrations of carbon-monoxide to the smoke inhaled from a cigarette. It also contains the usual other toxins (nicotine, tar heavy metals etc) delivered by cigarette smoke. There may be some differences resulting from the different types of tobacco and additives used with waterpipe smoking, and from the different temperature to which the tobacco is heated (about half the temperature that cigarette tobacco reaches).
However, overall we have no good data supporting the commonly held belief that waterpipe smoking is less harmful than cigarette smoking. This belief appears to be partly based on the idea that the passing of the smoke through the water somehow “cleans” the smoke. This is false. This process simply cools the smoke, making it easier to inhale, but basically the same smoke with all its toxic constituents comes out the other end via the mouthpiece and is inhaled.
Even in countries where waterpipe use is very common (some Arabic, eastern Mediteranean, and Asian countries), many users also smoke cigarettes, making it difficult to clearly identify the health risks specific to waterpipe use.
In Syria, where waterpipe use is widespread, many men acknowledge that they are addicted to the hookah. Until more is known about waterpipe use and its effects, it would be reasonable to assume that waterpipe use is about as addictive and harmful as cigarette smoking.
Over recent years, waterpipe use has increased in frequency in the United States – primarily in connection with the increased numbers of “hookah bars” which have been developed. Hookah bars are commonly found on or near college campuses, and the increase in use appears to be primarily in this age-group (16-28). These bars provide the waterpipes and tobacco for a fee, and are perceived as a novel and pleasant social experience by young people. When a group of young people find they are enjoying waterpipe smoking but perhaps spending more money or time at the hookah bar than they would like, then some start to purchase their own waterpipe and materials and smoke at their apartment. As many as 20-33% of students on some campuses have at least tried a waterpipe. In one survey, 37% of college freshmen believed that waterpipe use was less harmful than cigarette smoking. It is therefore important to make clear to young people that waterpipe smoke is just as harmful and addictive as cigarette smoke.
What are your thoughts? Do You or your kids Hookah?
As a teenager I remember going to a party that seemed way out of my league. To explain it was just a big party, lots of guests, BIG FANCY house with this huge back yard and I can remember walking up to the jacuzzi area which was huge and a big old hookah was sitting next to the tub and 5 people or so were sucking on it. I was amazed, I immediately tried it and loved it! There is an art to it that is pretty cool!
I worked in an Egyptian argilah cafe as a server for about 2 years but never became a smoker. I have an argillah pipe in my home as decorative piece from Egypt but personally don't like to smoke it and don't see the fascination with it.
It also puts heavy metal toxins in the blood stream
We call it Shisha! My husband is from Egypt. We have a pipe in our home and love to smoke together on our bacony. I find it kinda romantic and it lets us sit together and talk for awhile. My husband introduced me to shisha and I immediately loved it. I love going to the Hookah bar too. I love to listen to all the arabic love songs! Apple and mint are my favorite flavors.
I tried using a bong about 25 years ago (my God am I getting that old? lol) It looks to be about the same thing but, no. I've never tried it and my DD is only 6 so I doubt if she even knows what one is.
I used to smoke a hookah with my sister and our best friend. I tried smoking flavored tobacco...but the real reason she got it was so we could smoke pot with it, lol.
Soon to be BFing, selective vaxing, cloth diapering and baby wearing momma to Josiah! Loves World of Warcraft, scrapbooking, reading, rock music, tattoos, the color pink and the Vampire Lestat! TX born and raised, open minded, Ron Paul supporting Libertarian, loving Army wife and most importantly Christian!
Yes.
My fancy flavored tobacco and wine nights with my DH.
Same here! *lol* I don't smoke anymore, but it was fun while I did it! *lol*
Quoting rocklovinggirl:I used to smoke a hookah with my sister and our best friend. I tried smoking flavored tobacco...but the real reason she got it was so we could smoke pot with it, lol.
I've had a few in my life but we used them for weed not tobacco. I stopped using one though because it goes through weed too fast. That and if it is a multiple hose one, if one person is sucking too hard it screws with the other person/peoples suction.
Iranians call it Gheleeyoon
One of my granmas smokes it with her daughters and her daughter in laws during afternoon tea in Shiraz.
My other granny does not smoke.
In tea houses in iran when I went to travel, I smoked it a couple of times with poetic talk and classical or melancholic music in the background.
We have them around for decoration here but don't smoke tobacco
In Vancouver they have some but I think they closed them down because of smoking laws
(but they did not close smoke shops where they have a back room for smokers)
and in NYC there were many and they, I think are also closed down, all after 911, hmmm
Ive smoked weed out of a hookah...
If I wanna smoke tobacco, Ill smoke a marlboro
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on Aug. 16, 2009 at 12:01 AM