Hookah

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Hookah is also known as a shisha or a waterpipe and is an instrument that is used for heating or vaporizing tobacco, flavored tobacco, cannabis, hashish, or opium.

  • Hookah is most often used to smoke flavored tobacco
  • Hookah is often smoked in social settings and is popular amongst college students.
  • Has the same health risks as cigarettes. Hookah can cause addiction, cancer, and heart disease.
  • Because users take deeper puffs, hookah smokers are at risk for higher absorptions of substances
  • An hour-long session is 100-200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single cigarette
  • Hookah is NOT a safe alternative to vape pens
  • The same mouthpiece is passed around, so there are also sanitary risks

Risks

  • Cancer (lung, mouth, throat, stomach)
  • Heart disease
  • Decreased fertility
  • Reduced lung function
  • Carbon Monoxide poisoning
  • Addiction
  • Heart attack
  • Chronic bronchitis (excessive coughing)
  • Increased risk of type-2 diabetes
  • Emphysema

Risks of using an unclean pipe

  • The flu
  • Herpes
  • Hepatitis
  • COVID-19
  • Tuberculosis

Side-effects

  • Increased heart rate
  • Rises in blood pressure
  • Shortness of breath
  • Lowered immune system
  • Loss of smell and taste
  • Bad breath
  • Stains on teeth
  • Erectile Dysfunction (in men)
  • Gum infections