28/07/2020
THE RISK OF SMOKING HO**AH
1. Sharing health risks
Young people may be attracted to the social nature of ho**ah smoking and to flavors that range from cappuccino to watermelon. However, ho**ah smokers may share more than just to***co.
“What teens may not realize is that the risks that come with sharing a ho**ah range from mono, colds, strep and now potentially COVID-19,” says Dr. Rome. “These risks are amplified by the close proximity of those sharing the ho**ah and by coughing in each other’s faces with use.”
Herpes, which causes lip/mouth cold sores, and H. pylori, the most common cause of stomach ulcers, can also be passed via the shared mouthpiece.
“In other countries, tuberculosis can be transmitted when ho**ah smokers cough in each other’s faces and can be cultivated from the ho**ah water,” says Dr. Rome. “Today, we worry more about spread of COVID-19.”
Besides the regular carcinogens from smoking, the flavorings are often oil-based, and oil is incredibly inflammatory and damaging to small airways in the lungs. Heating elements that have metal coils can also release heavy metal ions that also are inflammatory in lungs, causing damage that can result in substantial harm. Smoking a ho**ah can lower your lung’s immunity and potentially increase your risk for the coronavirus. (Besides the fact that teens usually smoke in groups, meaning they’re not social distancing!)
2. Ho**ah is more toxic than ci******es
Aside from the risk of infection, smoke from the ho**ah contains the same cancer-causing chemicals as ci**rs and ci******es. Ho**ah smokers also inhale carbon monoxide, heavy metals and other toxic compounds given off by the burning charcoal. Smoking in a group setting creates significant secondhand smoke — especially in ho**ah cafes.
“Ho**ah is not a safe alternative to smoking ci******es,” says Dr. Rome. “A typical one-hour session involves inhaling 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single cigarette.”
According to a study done on the effects of ho**ah smoking, plasma ni****ne levels were found to be increased in ho**ah users and the levels were much higher compared to cigarette users.
The risks don’t just stop there.
The CDC reports that to***co juices from ho**ahs irritate the mouth and increase the risk of developing oral cancers and gum disease.
3. Cardiovascular effects
The risks of addiction can’t be downplayed. Ho**ah smokers typically smoke longer and more often, take more puffs and inhale more deeply than cigarette smokers. They absorb more ni****ne in higher concentrations because of the way the smoke is cooled.
Moreover, it’s been shown that heavy ho**ah smoking has been associated with ischemic heart disease, heart failure and coronary artery disease development.
