While research about hookah smoking is still emerging, evidence shows that it poses many dangers:
- Hookah smoke contains high levels of toxic compounds, including tar, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens). In fact, hookah smokers are exposed to more carbon monoxide and smoke than are cigarette smokers.
- As with cigarette smoking, hookah smoking is linked to lung cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses.
- Tobacco juices from hookahs irritate the mouth and increase the risk of developing oral cancers.
- Hookah smoking delivers about the same amount of nicotine as cigarette smoking, possibly leading to tobacco dependence.
- Hookah smoke poses dangers associated with second hand smoke.
- Hookah smoking by pregnant women can result in low birth weight babies.
- Babies born to hookah smokers are also at increased risk for respiratory diseases.
- Hookah pipes used in hookah bars and cafes may not be cleaned properly, risking the spread of infectious diseases.
Now you know the facts, make the decision yourself.
Hookah: Healthy Or Hazardous? was originally published on blackdoctor.org
