Is hookah smoke harmful?
Even after it has passed through water, the smoke from a hookah has high levels of these toxic agents. Hookah tobacco and smoke contain several toxic agents known to cause lung, bladder, and oral cancers. Tobacco juices from hookahs irritate the mouth and increase the risk of developing oral cancers.
Does hookah smoking make you high?
Hookah smoking won’t get you high. However, the tobacco in it can give you a buzz. You may feel lightheaded, relaxed, dizzy, or wobbly. Hookah smoking can also make you feel sick to your stomach.
What happens if you don’t inhale hookah?
If you don’t inhale the hookah smoke, Jacob says you’ll absorb fewer toxic substances in your lungs, but your mouth and throat may still be screwed. He compares the effects to cigar smoking, which studies have linked to lip, tongue, mouth, and throat cancers, as opposed to the lung cancers associated with cigarettes.
Can doctors tell if you smoke hookah?
Yes, your doctor can tell if you smoke occasionally by looking at medical tests that can detect nicotine in your blood, saliva, urine and hair. When you smoke or get exposed to secondhand smoke, the nicotine you inhale gets absorbed into your blood.
What is shisha smoking?
Shisha smoking is the smoking of special shisha tobacco through a water pipe called a hookah or shisha pipe. This practice began in India and the Middle East in the 16th and 17th centuries, and spread throughout the world.
How does a Hookah Shisha work?
The hookah base and the shaft are connected via a stem that brings smoke into the chamber of the base or the vase, which is usually made using glass. The vase is filled with water that helps the shisha cool down while smoking. It also plays the role of a filter for the smoke so it’s nice and gentle on your lungs when inhaled.
What is secondhand smoke from hookahs?
Secondhand smoke from hookahs can be a health risk for people who don’t smoke. It contains smoke from the tobacco as well as smoke from the heat source (e.g., charcoal) used in the hookah. 1,6,13
Is hookah more toxic than cigarette smoke?
Because of the way a hookah is used, smokers may absorb more of the toxic substances also found in cigarette smoke than cigarette smokers do.1,2 An hour-long hookah smoking session involves 200 puffs, while smoking an average cigarette involves 20 puffs.1,2.