Hookah: Health Effects and Risks

Hookah smoking may sound like fun. However, its health consequences are not. Read on and we'll tell you.

Although it may seem like a less harmful or toxic activity than smoking and is even well regarded in some cultures, hookah smoking also carries health risks.

From the possibility of throat infections to the appearance of various types of cancer, it’s good to know what we’re exposed to with this practice. The goal is to minimize it or even avoid it altogether.

What is hookah and what is it used for?

Hookah is the name given in English to a device used to smoke tobacco. It’s also called cachimbo or shisha, although the original Arabic form is huqqa.

The device in question consists of several parts or sections:

• A bowl or base, which is filled with water
• A smoke chamber (bowl), where the tobacco is placed
• The hose through which the smoke passes
• The mouthpiece or mouthpieces, through which the smoke is inhaled

For hookah smoking, the tobacco placed in the bowl is heated. The air is sucked through the mouthpiece, causing the smoke to circulate towards the liquid until it reaches the person’s mouth.

The tobacco used is usually unique to these devices. It can come in flavors such as cinnamon, mint, licorice, apple, and peach, among other varieties.

Although this practice is of oriental origin (it’s debated whether it comes from India or Persia), it has also become quite popular in the West. According to the New York government website, 5.6% of high school students smoke hookahs, and their use has increased in recent years.

The risks of using hookah

The fact that the smoke reaches the lungs after having passed through water when smoking hookah does not mean that it’s any less harmful. Water does not filter out the toxic ingredients in tobacco.

Although research on these devices is ongoing, there’s already evidence that hookah smoking poses many dangers. Let’s take a look at them.

Exposure to monoxide

Hookah pipes use charcoal, which, when ignited, releases carbon monoxide. This can create a risk of poisoning. The possibility of this occurring varies according to different factors, such as the size of the space where it’s smoked, the number of people present, the volume of charcoal burned, and the time spent in the place.

Nicotine

Since tobacco is burned in the shisha, the smoke also contains nicotine. It’s already been proven that this substance is associated with the risk of developing lung cancer.

Other toxic substances

Other chemicals that are released when charcoal and tobacco are burned in the hookah and which are also found in cigarette smoke are formaldehyde and tar. Both hookah smokers and those around them are exposed to them, therefore suffering the dangers of secondhand smoke.

Exposure time

It’s also important to bear in mind that the use of these devices is generally done in closed spaces since it’s not as easy or as common to transport them outdoors, as is commonly done with a cigarette.

On the other hand, hookah smokers inhale a lot of smoke, since a session can last quite a long time (up to an hour, in some users). Consequently, both active and passive smokers are more exposed to monoxide and other toxic compounds.

Toxic substances

Due to the way hookah is used, users tend to ingest or swallow more toxic substances compared to cigarette smokers.

Addiction

As mentioned, there’s a high exposure to nicotine with hookah. In fact, it’s actually the same amount as smoking cigarettes, which creates a high chance of addiction.

It increases the chances of a person smoking

Another interesting fact noted in the research is that hookah smoking increases the chances that the person will also want to use conventional cigarettes.

It can lead to infections

Hookah pipes in bars and cafes are commonly used. If they’re not cleaned properly, the risks of throat or mouth infections also increase.

There’s a risk of fires

Burning charcoal can increase the risk of fire, so hookahs should be handled with caution, and fire extinguishers should always be kept on hand.

The health effects of smoking hookah

Practically, the effects of smoking cigarettes and hookahs are the same. These include the following:

• Tobacco juices irritate the oral mucosa and throat.
• Regular hookah smokers evidence high levels of CEA, which is a protein associated with the development of tumors. Consequently, it’s also associated with mouth, lung, and even bladder cancer.
• Toxic agents in tobacco smoke can promote the blockage of arteries, so they increase the risk of developing heart disease.
• There’s an increased chance of premature death in people with heart disease or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
• It affects your dental health.
• Pregnant women who smoke hookah may give birth to underweight children.
• Increases the risk of transmission of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Unlike cigarette smoking, since hookah smoking burns charcoal, there’s a possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, as previously mentioned.

The mild symptoms that occur in this case are as follows:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Irritability

However, when it’s more severe there may be nausea, vomiting, palpitations, and even blurred vision. In these situations, medical help should be sought immediately, as carbon monoxide poisoning leads to convulsions, brain damage, or death.

Preventing the risks

Because of the health risks involved, regulations have been put in place in some places for hookah smoking sites. These regulations relate, for example, to the age of users, in the sense of not providing the service to minors.

However, whether in a public or private place, users of this type of device should take into account some measures to reduce the risks:

• Disinfect the pipes.
• Do not share mouthpieces.
• In public establishments, each customer should ideally have a new mouthpiece.
• Ventilate the space well. Preferably, keep both the windows and doors open.
• Restrict the times when you smoke and reduce the time of consumption.
• Make sure that the surface on which the hookah is placed isn’t flammable.
• Have fire extinguishers on hand to control or smother flames.