You probably know about the current movement towards legalizing marijuana. But many teenagers also use hookahs, or water pipes that are used to smoke flavored tobacco. There are some popular misconceptions surrounding hookah use; for example, many believe that it’s healthier for you than cigarettes. Here are six facts that you may not have known:
1. Though hookah smoke is filtered through water, this process does not remove any of the toxic chemicals. According to the Center for Disease Control, hookah has many of the same health risks as cigarette smoking.
2. Hookah is illegal for anyone under the age of 18.
3. Hookah tobacco contains half the nicotine level of a cigarette. However, according to a study conducted by hookah smokers are exposed to 20 times the amount of carbon monoxide as cigarette smokers. Carbon monoxide can cause stroke, heart attack and sudden death.
4. In 2010, the Monitoring the Future survey found that among high school seniors in the United States, about 1 in 5 boys (17%) and 1 in 6 girls (15%) had used a hookah in the past year.
5. E-Hookah or Shisha pens are a popular alternative to hookah smoking. They dispense flavored water vapor and do not contain the carbon monoxide and heavy metals as regular hookah smoke. They contain varying levels of nicotine. There are nicotine-free versions available as well.
6. It is possible get addicted to hookah smoke or E-hookah that contains nicotine.