Hookah smoking myth

Myth: Smoking tobacco through a hookah is safer than smoking cigarettes

Fact: Hookah smoking sessions, usually lasting 20-60 minutes, generate about 10 liters or more of smoke. Smoking a cigarette for five minutes generates 300-500 milliliters of smoke.

Myth: The water used in hookah is an effective filter against carcinogens

Fact: Depending on various factors such as duration of smoking, depth, length and frequency of inhalation, higher levels of carcinogens may be present in hookah smoke compared to cigarette smoke. Aerosol, tar and heavy metal particles also are found in hookah smoke.

Myth: Hookah use is associated with few long-term health problems

Fact: hookah use can lead to various cancers, as well as heart and lung disease, much like cigarette smoking. In addition, diseases, such as hepatitis, herpes and tuberculosis, can spread when hose mouthpieces are shared.