News and Update

Times of India
02 July 2010

Experts tell Desiree Lobo why you should ban this habit
There are a plethora of articles related to the ill effects of cigarette smoking. Everyone is aware that smoking causes cancer and a host of other problems. That’s when several people switched over from cigarette smoking to hookah. For years it was believed that hookah, contains 0.5 per cent nicotine, which reduces the chance of lung cancer. But not may people are aware of the ill effects that hookah smoking poses and hence indulge in it without knowing.

What is a hookah?
Also known as narghile, sheesha and goza, a hookah is a water pipe with a smoke chamber, a bowl, a pipe and a hose. Specially made tobacco is heated, and the smoke passes through water and is then drawn through a rubber hose to a mouthpiece.

According to General Physician Dr Amit Shah, the tobacco is no less toxic in a hookah pipe, and the water in the hookah does not filter out the toxic ingredients in the tobacco smoke. “On the contrary, hookah smokers may actually inhale more tobacco smoke than cigarette smokers do because of the large volume of smoke they inhale in one smoking session,” he says. While it may look cool for some to be seen puffing from a hookah pipe, little do they know how many toxins they’re pumping into their systems. Oncologist Dr M D Modi says, “Hookah smoke contains high levels of toxic compounds including tar, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and carcinogen. Many believe that water in the hookah filters out out the toxic ingredients in the tobacco smoke, which is not true.” The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a statement on hookahs saying that the health risks of hookah are no less detrimental than those in case of a cigarette. According to dietician Niti Desai, “Any type of smoking reduces appetite. It also kills certain nutrients in the body, which are essential for the immune system. Loss of appetite may result in weight loss. If you have taken up smoking the hookah in an attempt to lose weight faster, it would be harmful for you in the long run. The idea should be to lose weight albeit in a healthy manner and not through smoking,” she says.

Ill effects
Hookah is known to induce diseases faster than cigarette smoking. Experts say that it causes cardiovascular disorders and increases blood pressure. Lung cancer is another common ailment. Experts believe that the smoke in hookah is an amalgamation of tar, carbon monoxide and other heavy metals. Wood cinders or charcoal are used as fuel to heat the tobacco for hookah. When such substances are burned, they produce potent chemicals, including carbon monoxide, which is why several researches are of the view that hookah smoking is dangerous.

Curbing your addiction Look for substitutes:
Carrots, celery sticks, lollipops or mints will help you curb your hookah craving. See a therapist: Getting rid of any addiction is not the easiest task in the world. Your therapist will help you quit and tell you how to cope with certain behavioural changes that will take place. Start eating: Eating will help curb those urges. Make sure you follow a healthy diet.

Pursue a hobby: Take up a hobby or something new that interests you. Keep good company: It is important that you keep good company. Stay away from friends who smoke hookah. It may be difficult to stop or give up something you enjoy but with self determination and grit, it is possible to kick the habit goodbye.