What are the health concerns with hookah smoking?
Hookah smoking is a relatively new phenomenon in Western culture. It is the fastest growing fad and worrisome epidemic among adolescents and young adults (Loffredo, 2006). The rationale for this new fad is the misconception that it is less toxic than cigarettes. Few studies document its hazards (Knishkowy & Amitai, 2005). Existing studies from Europe and Asia suggest that hookah smoking may increase malignancy in the lungs, gastrointestinal track, bladder, and lip (Knishkowy & Amitai). Also noted from these studies was a decrease in pulmonary function tests and increase in infectious disease from sharing the water pipe, including tuberculosis. A decrease in male fertility and low birth weight infants was another finding in these studies, along with cardiovascular changes such a elevated heart rate and an increase in blood pressure during hookah smoking (Knishkowy & Amitai).
