EDITORIAL: Watch out for hookah’s hazards

‘ ‘ ‘ The laid-back atmosphere surrounding hookah has long kept it off the health radar for… ‘ ‘ ‘ The laid-back atmosphere surrounding hookah has long kept it off the health radar for many hookah smokers, who see it as more of a social activity and an opportunity to relax with friends. ‘ ‘ ‘ The misconception that smoking hookah does not pose health risks is especially a concern when it comes to college students. While the practice of smoking hookah has been around for more than 400 years, the trend has seen a revival among the college crowd. A recent study by Pitt’s School of Medicine revealed that 41 percent of Pitt students have smoked tobacco from a hookah and that nearly 88 percent of those students plan to do so again. ‘ ‘ ‘ And yet, it is likely that most of these students are not fully aware of the dangers it poses. ‘ ‘ ‘ When cigarette smoking first became popular in the United States around the turn of the century, it took health professionals nearly 50 years to affirm the dangers and even longer for many to accept those dangers as fact. ‘ ‘ ‘ Nonetheless, health professionals worked tirelessly to prove that cigarettes are harmful. But those same efforts seem to be lost when it comes to hookah. ‘ ‘ ‘ For many people, hookah smoking is not practiced as frequently as cigarette smoking. ‘ ‘ ‘ Seen as a largely social and cultural activity, deeply embedded in the traditions of many countries, hookah smoking does not share the same negative stigma as cigarette smoking. ‘ ‘ ‘ But contrary to popular belief, hookah smoking is as dangerous, if not more so, than cigarettes. ‘ ‘ ‘ According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a typical one-hour-long hookah smoking session involves inhaling 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled with a single cigarette. ‘ ‘ ‘ The CDC also reported that hookah smokers are in danger of sustaining the same diseases as those caused by cigarette smoking, such as oral cancer, lung cancer and reduced pulmonary function. ‘ ‘ ‘ And because hookahs use charcoal to heat the tobacco, the health risks are increased as carbon monoxide, metals and cancer-causing chemicals are produced at higher levels. ‘ ‘ ‘ To regular hookah smokers, these facts might come as a shock, especially because smoking hookah does not feel as harmful as smoking cigarettes. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ While cigarette smoke causes a burning sensation in the throat as it is inhaled, hookah smoke is cooled down by the water pipe and is thus a lot easier to smoke. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Furthermore, the shisha tobacco come in various flavors, like mint, kiwi and strawberry, which makes the experience much more enjoyable and seemingly innocuous. ‘ ‘ ‘ But no matter what the level of enjoyment or relaxation, it is important that people are aware that smoking hookah on a regular basis puts one’s health at risk. ‘ ‘ ‘ The dangers of hookah smoking should be publicized in much the same way health professionals and activists raised awareness about the dangers of cigarette smoking and continue to do so. ‘ ‘ ‘ People should not continue to live under the misconception that hookah is harmless.