HOOKAHS NEGATIVE EFFECTS

Hookahs Negative Effects Sara Phillips College of DuPage Composition I Elizabeth Anderson 12/9/13

Hookah Hookahs Negative Effects

Introduction A hookah is a water pipe that is used to smoke flavored tobacco, known as shisha. Shisha is a tobacco that has been soaked in honey or molasses. This unique smoking apparatus has many alternate names, it is most common referred to as: water pipe, goza, hubble-bubble, borry, arhile, and narghile. When smoking shisha from a hookah there re a variety of different flavors you can choose from: blueberry muffin, mango, orange, peach, vanilla, and even mint! Although this tobacco is both delicious and smooth it contains all the negative effects as cigarettes. According to current research, this is true. Hookah History These intricate designed brass and glass smoking apparatus has developed drastically over time. The origins of the hookah begin nearly a millennium ago along the border of India. It was originally designed from a coconut shell as a base with a tube and head attached. During this time, their purpose to smoke opium or hashish, not flavored tobacco. Hookah began traveling throughout the Persian Kingdom, including Middle Asia and Arabic parts of Africa. Once making its way through Persia, the practice of hookah began slowly changing. The

Persian Empire began using tobacco and crafting the hookah apparatus out of wood. Eventually hookah made its way to Turkey about 500 years ago. It was then that the hookah began growing in both size and complexity. Although it was not set for a specific social class, it became popular for those among the upper class and intellectuals. Around the 19th century cigarettes became available and hookah began to decline. The convenient, on-the-go tobacco made smoking hookah seem unnecessary, and it was not until recent years the increase became rising once again.

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Set up

Before starting, you need the following supplies: coals, shisha, tongs, aluminum foil, a tooth pick, a lighter, water, and obviously a hookah. 1. Fill the vase with cold water until the water covers two inches of the down stem. 2. Secure and place the stem into the vase. 3. Place metal tray on top of the stem. This tray can be used for either ashing coals or cigarettes. 4. Next, place the hose with the rubber stopper on the tip into the hose port. 5. Now, you must set up the bowl: Take a can of shisha and lightly sprinkle the tobacco into the bowl. 6. Place a small square of foil securely over the top of the bowl. 7. Then take a toothpick and poke several holes on top of the tin foil. This will allow the air to flow though. 8. Put the bowl on top of the hookah stem. 9. Finally, take a lighter and heat up the coal. Once the coal is a bright red, place the coal on top of the foil. 10. Inhale through the hose. Hookah Etiquette Although hookah is a simple tradition that has been passed down for many years, there are a few things that are important to remember. Be considerate. If you are talking, make sure

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everyone has a chance to smoke; the hose is not a microphone. Hookah is usually a social

occurrence, so pass the hose when you are finished. Although when passing, remember to fold the handle so the tip is faced towards you, the contrary can commonly be considered disrespectful. It is also considered rude to light a cigarette off of the hookah coals, because it can taint the flavor of the smoke. Lastly, when sitting, if you cross your legs, do not point your foot or show someone the bottom of your feet. Many people didn't recognize the offensive symbolism of the shoe when an Iraqi news reporter threw his shoes at former President George W. Bush in 2008 ("Hookah Etiquette," n.d.). In America this is not viewed as disrespectful in the slightest, but as the culture changes so does the etiquette. Unhealthy Effects Hookah is a dangerous trend growing among many young adults today. It is commonly perceived that hookah smoke is less harmful than cigarettes, but that is false information. Both hookah and cigarettes contain the same addictive drug nicotine (which can lead to dependence) as well as many other toxins. According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), hookah smoke has been associated with lung cancer, respiratory illness, low birth weight, and periodontal disease ("The Dangers of Hookah," n.d.). Consider the frequency of puffing and depth of inhalation during one session of hookah, the possibly of absorbing a higher rate of toxins increases when compared to cigarettes. A typical one hour hookah smoking session involves 200 puffs, while an average cigarette is 20 puffs. The volume of smoke inhaled during a typical hookah session is about 90,000 milliliters, compared with 500 to 600 milliliters inhaled when smoking a cigarette ("The Dangers of Hookah," n.d.). Both cigarettes and hookah contain tobacco, and regardless if it is flavored or not, the tobacco has a negative effect on the body. The typical 45-60 minute smoking session has been said to be equal to the amount of tar and nicotine found in one pack of cigarettes. A study funded by the National Institutes of Health reports a single hookah session delivers 1.7 times the nicotine, 6.5 times the carbon monoxide and 46.4 times the tar of a single cigarette("Smoking Hookah May Be Worse," n.d.).

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Regardless of the tobacco, the charcoal used to heat tobacco in the hookah increases the health ricks by producing smoke that contains high levels of carbon monoxide, metals, and cancer-causing chemicals ("The Dangers of Hookah," n.d.). Another serious health risk similar cigarettes is the secondhand smoke let off, only hookah has both the charcoal and tobacco toxins combined. Trending Hookahs are tobacco water pipes that have been trending among youth and college students, ages ranging from 18-24. The Monitoring the Futures survey found that in 2011, 18.5% of 12th grade students in the United States had used hookahs in the past year("The Dangers of Hookah," n.d.). As you can see, the trend has increased almost one-fifth percent

over the past year. Although it has been trending, according to the same survey, This rate was slightly higher among boys (20%) than girls (17%) ("The Dangers of Hookah," n.d.).The main appeal of this practice is not only the relaxed environment, but the social interaction that comes with it; hookah is most commonly practiced in groups. Although this unhealthy trend has been spreading across American, the popularity of hookah has been growing across the globe, especially in Europe and Japan.

Alternative Beliefs/Misconceptions As stated before, a common belief among hookah smokers regards health. A study done by Perceptions of hookah smoking harmfulness conducted a study to gather information on the awareness of hookah smokers. As seen from the pie chart, 58% believe hookah is less harmful that cigarettes. They consider the fact that it is smoked through water helps filter out the toxins. This is not true, water does not help filter out any of the toxins; its damage to the lungs is just as serious as cigarettes.

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Conclusion As you can see from the information above, many people are in need to be educated about the effects of hookah. Once people begin to realize that not only is it unhealthy, but it is considered worse than cigarettes, chances are their rate of smoking will decrease drastically. People are unaware that shisha is still tobacco, despite its smooth flavor, and when smoked

nicotine and tar enter the body at an extraordinarily higher rate than cigarettes. It is important to be aware of any negative chemicals or carcinogens that are entering your body; your body is a temple and it should be treated as such.

Hookah References The Dangers of Hookah Smoking. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2013, from Center of Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/features/hookahsmoking/ Hookah: A Dangerous Trend Grows Among Young Americans [Blog post]. (2013, January 30). Retrieved from White Plains Patch website: http://whiteplains.patch.com/groups/powrtobacco-cessation-centers-blog/p/bp--hookah-a-dangerous-trend-grows-among-youngamericans Hookah Etiquette. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2013, from Hookah Company website: http://www.hookahcompany.com/hookah_etiquette.htm Hookah History. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2013, from Hookah Company website: http://www.hookahcompany.com/hookah_history.htm Hookah Setup Guide. (2013). Retrieved December 9, 2013, from Hookah Company website: http://www.hookahcompany.com/hookah_setup.htm

Is hookah smoking safer than smoking cigarettes? (2012, July 20). Retrieved December 9, 2013, from Mayo Clinic website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hookah/AN01265 Nargile : A Puff on History. (1997, March 3). Retrieved December 9, 2013, from The Hookah website: http://www.thehookah.com/history/hookah_history_1.htm Smoking Hookah May Be Worse Than Cigarettes. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2013, from American Lung Association website: http://www.lung.org/associations/states/florida/news/top-story-in-the-news/smokinghookah-may-be-worse.html Top Facts: Hookah. (2007, May). Retrieved December 9, 2013, from Tobacco Free U website: http://www.tobaccofreeu.org/pdf/Hookah.pdf