Hookah

Hookah (also known as shisha, narghile, qalyān, or waterpipe) is a traditional smoking device that originated in the Middle East and Asia. The device is used to smoke specially made tobacco that comes in different flavors.

History

The hookah originated in the Indian subcontinent, and has since spread to the Middle East, North Africa, and other parts of the world. The word "hookah" is derived from the Urdu word "huqqa", which means "pipe". The device was originally used for smoking opium and hashish.

Design and Function

A typical hookah has a head (or bowl), a body, a water bowl, and a hose. The tobacco is placed in the head, which is covered with a small piece of perforated aluminum foil or a charcoal screen. Hot coals are then placed on top of the foil or screen, which causes the tobacco to heat up and produce smoke. The smoke is filtered through the water in the bowl before being inhaled through the hose.

Health Effects

While some people believe that smoking hookah is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, research has shown that hookah smokers are exposed to more carbon monoxide and smoke than cigarette smokers. In addition, because a typical hookah session can last up to an hour, smokers may inhale as much smoke during one session as a cigarette smoker would inhale consuming 100 or more cigarettes.

Regulation

In many countries, hookah bars and cafes are subject to the same regulations as establishments that sell cigarettes and other tobacco products. This includes age restrictions, smoking bans in certain public places, and taxation of tobacco products.

See Also

• Tobacco smoking
• Health effects of tobacco
• Smoking cessation

References

Hookah Resources
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