Egyptian Scientists Warn Shishas More Harmful Than Cigarettes

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 14 Jan 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Medical scientists in Egypt have found that shisha smoking poses a greater health threat than cigarettes, contrary to popular belief among water pipe smokers.

The scientists built a device to test the theory that smoking shishas, also known as hookahs, is safer as smoke is filtered through water before being inhaled. The medics found that shisha smokers inhale more nicotine than cigarette smokers.

The testing device consists of a cylinder imitating human lungs and a piston moving inside to simulate inhalation and exhalation. Smoke in the artificial lungs underwent chemical tests.

The data, which took into account the duration of an average shisha session and the length of time smoke remains in the lungs, was processed electronically. The findings showed that smoking 25 grams of tobacco through a shisha is equal to smoking 60 cigarettes, or three cigarette packs.

World Heath Organisation studies said that even after passing through water, tobacco smoke still contains high levels of toxic compounds, including carbon monoxide, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals. Shisha smoking also delivers significant levels of nicotine, the main addictive substance in tobacco.

Shishas originated in India and have been used for centuries in the Middle East and Asia to smoke tobacco. Shisha smoking is becoming increasingly popular among young people in Europe and the United States.

http://www.ash.org.uk