Fashionable or Fatal?
Tobacco’s New Look

By Tiffany Orr, 10.25.2006

Smoking tobacco through a water-pipe called a hookah is a growing trend in America.

A long-time tradition in the Middle East,hookah bars tend to appeal primarily to twentysomethings who enjoy lounging in often-times lavishly decorated smoking rooms. These bars replicate the feel and communal atmosphere of neighborhood taverns and pubs, where groups of smokers often get together to socialize and smoke.

They also offer patrons the opportunity to do something they’re no longer allowed to do in most American bars: smoke tobacco. And since it’s scented and seasoned with flavors such as apple, strawberry, cappuccino, banana, peach and even bubblegum, who could blame people for wanting to try out this delicious-sounding fad?

However, there are serious health reasons to stay away from hookah smoking. Consequences of smoking hookahs include wheezing, coughing, bad breath and yellow-stained teeth and fingers. Smokers are also susceptible to frequent colds, problems remembering things and decreased senses of smell and taste, according to the American Cancer Society.

Because hookahs use real tobacco, we should avoid them for the same reasons doctors have been telling us not to smoke in the first place. Though hookah smoking has been praised as a safe alternative to cigarettes, cancer and adverse health effects have been linked to hookah smoking, according to the American Cancer Society.

People think hookah smoking is safer than smoking cigarettes because the hookah filters the smoke. However, recent research has proven that claim to be totally unfounded, according to Edward Rosenow of the Mayo Clinic.

“Recent studies have found that hookah smokers actually inhale more nicotine than do cigarette smokers because of the massive volume of smoke they inhale,” Rosenow said.

In fact, university professor Thomas Eissenberg found that hookah smokers spend more time smoking because of the mild nature of the smoke. Thus, exposing themselves to more toxins than cigarette smokers.

Despite the evidence that confirms consequences of smoking hookahs, people will continue to do it. Because it's a fashionable trend that looks and tastes good. As long as nobody gets hurt, society marks the hookah craze with a stamp of approval. But the problem is, people are getting hurt.