Many people are under the impression – thanks largely to inaccurate advertising – that hookahs are safer to smoke than cigarettes. The truth is that not only are they not a safer alternative, they pose a variety of health risks in themselves, including cancer, respiratory problems, and cardiac issues.
Hookahs are water pipes that are used to smoke specially crafted tobacco that comes in different flavors. There are a wide variety of flavors, but some examples are apple, mint, cherry, chocolate, coconut, licorice, cappuccino, and watermelon. Your typical hookah has a head (with holes in the bottom), a metal body, a water bowl, and a flexible hose with a mouthpiece, and it’s usually passed around a group, with everyone using the same mouthpiece. They’re increasingly popular with young people, and some studies have shown that among college students in the United States, 22 percent to 40 percent report having used a hookah in the previous year.
A study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, found that just a half-hour of hookah smoking can result in the development of cardiovascular risk factors similar to what has been observed with traditional cigarette smoking. Researchers measured heart rate, blood pressure, arterial stiffness, blood nicotine levels, and exhaled carbon monoxide levels in 48 hookah smokers before and after 30 minutes of smoking. The study showed that a single session of hookah smoking increased heart rate by 16 beats per minute and raised blood pressure. It also significantly increased arterial stiffness, which is a major risk factor in cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke.
There are a variety of ways someone who smokes a hookah can end up with cancer. The charcoal used to heat the tobacco can produce high levels of carbon monoxide, certain metals, and cancer-causing chemicals. Even after it has passed through water, the smoke still contains high levels of these toxins, which can cause lung, bladder, and oral cancers. The tobacco juices from hookahs can also irritate the mouth and increase the risk of developing oral cancer. Hookah smokers can actually end up consuming far more of these chemicals, because a smoking session lasts considerably longer. An hour-long hookah session can involve 200 puffs, while smoking an average cigarette involves 20 puffs.
Also, you’re still consuming nicotine when smoking a hookah. It can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, and it can raise blood sugar by limiting the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas. While nicotine might not cause cancer or other very harmful effects on its own, it’s extremely addictive. It can be at least as difficult to give up as heroin, if not more. This means that people will continue smoking the hookah more frequently, exposing themselves to more of the harmful toxins.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
