From Bad To Worse – It seems!
NYU Center For Drug Use and HIV research took a recent study and learned that one in five students have tried smoking hookah, however doctors are now speaking out as the study also shows that the new trend on the U.S. coast is twice as deadly and those of whom inhale cigarettes daily.
According to the research, the average adult inhales about twenty ‘puffs’ per one cigarette and the amount is more than doubled when one partakes in a hookah session. While cigarette smoking is declining among teens, hookah smoking is significantly rising [especially among teens].
The sweet taste, and the unscented carcinogen and nicotine [that is masked] is clearly an attention grabber for teens. The myth surrounding hookah is that it is not as dangerous as smoking cigarettes because when ‘hookah smoking’ it is filtered via water and therefore it filters out harmful ingredients. Well, that’s not true it seems.
” Smoking tobacco through water does not filter out cancer causing chemicals. Filtered smoke can damage the lungs and heart as much as cigarette smoke. “
More than 18% of seniors have tried hookah smoking based on a national survey of 5,540 students… ” “It’s more of a socially accepted behavior compared to cigarette smoking. ” The study also found that the trend is mostly in high school students who reside in city areas [ie:NYC] There are many hookah bars in Queens where most teens frequent to indulge in hookah smoking.
Honestly, I have tried hookah, and I too have frequent as few hookah bars in NYC in my twenties and I was under the same impression as many others. It’s not harmful, it’s purified via water based liquid, and it’s not the REAL nicotine, but I was WRONG.
“ Hookah smoking is very common in the Middle Eastern region of the world. Hookah which better known as ‘Shisha’ is the very moist tobacco that has been soaked in molasses or honey and is smoked in a hookah. There are a variety of shish flavors including plum, coconut, and apple. “
Hookah traditions date back 50 years. Egypt, India, and Turkey are said to be the first countries to engage in hookah smoking. It is one of the oldest most popular Turkish traditions. That tradition has now traveled to the United States and there are more than 300 hookah establishments in the U.S.
Sounds like were tipping the scale on this subject. One teen who surveyed said that hookah smoking popularity grew because it was a ‘space filler’ .
” Hookah allowed us to have a space for something to do, unlike drinking or smoking weed, we weren’t going to get in trouble for it. It gave us a way to be a part of the nightlife. “
Not sure if the ‘hookah’ trend will decrease [at this very moment] but it’s great too see people [youth and adults] bringing public awareness.