Health Officials Say An Hour of Hookah Equals 100 Cigarettes

Source from:  Sidney Herald 12/18/2014

The U.S. FDA recently banned flavored tobacco in several cigarette brands as part of the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Tobacco users can still go to "hookah bars" and find many different flavors. Studies have shown though, that an hour of smoking hookah is equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes.

Hookah is tobacco smoked in a water pipe. There are many flavors such as chocolate, cherry, watermelon and even cappuccino. Many believe that this is less toxic than cigarettes. Studies show that the nicotine levels are the same and show the same addictive tendencies, and there are as many toxins that cause heart disease and lung disease.

Tobacco juices found in hookah causes mouth irritation and an increase in risk for oral cancer. Charcoal that is used to heat the tobacco produces high levels of carbon monoxide, metals and carcinogenic properties that can also cause health problems.

The CDC reports a steady rise in hookah use among college and high school students, and found every one in five male and one in six female high school students have reported its use in the last year. Companies have even started producing and selling personal electronic hookah products that turn liquid containing nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals into inhalable vapor.

Although hookah has been a part of the Persian and Indian cultures for centuries, it is fairly new here in the U.S. It seems to be more socially acceptable than smoking cigarettes and is marketed and used in group settings that are romanticized and glorified.

Many reported they believe smoking hookah is not as dangerous as cigarettes, and even when aware of the risk, most college students reported they would still use. It is believed that anti-hookah campaigns would be more successful if they would target these age groups and the romantic allure it holds. Prevention is needed to dispel the myths of hookah and exploit the health dangers (The Grapevine, 2014). Enditem