Shisha

Part of: Smoking and vaping

Contents

Shisha is also known as hookah, waterpipe or hubble bubble which involves smoking heated tobacco. The smoke travels through a water bowl before being inhaled through a long hose like pipe.

Shisha tobacco is often flavoured and mixed with molasses sugar which gives it a sweet aroma. Shisha is significantly more harmful than smoking or vaping and can also increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases.

Origins of shisha

Shisha has origins in the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Africa, but its use has spread worldwide. It is particularly popular among younger adults due to its social appeal and the misconception that it is safer than smoking cigarettes.

Shisha lounges, often marketed as trendy or cultural spaces, contribute to the normalisation of waterpipe smoking, particularly in urban areas.

Harms of shisha smoking

Many believe shisha is safer because smoke passes through water, but this is not true. Water cools the smoke but does not filter toxins.

Shisha smoking poses significant health risks.

Toxic exposures

Shisha smoke contains harmful substances like:

  • carbon monoxide
  • nicotine
  • tar
  • heavy metals

A single session of around 30-60 minutes is the equivalent of 100 cigarettes.

People nearby are exposed to second hand smoke which include harmful toxins, including carbon monoxide and substances that cause cancer.

Health risks

Health risks include:

  • oral, lung, stomach and bladder cancers.
  • Shisha raises blood pressure which can result in heart disease
  • breathing problems like chronic bronchitis and reduced lung function