Everyone knows that smoking cigarettes not only negatively affects muscle growth (in fact, they are not compatible), but also has serious complex harm to health. However, many believe that hookah is a safe alternative to conventional cigarettes, since the water in the flask cleans the smoke from harmful impurities.
Unfortunately, in reality, hookah is much more harmful than cigarettes in a number of ways. It is also important that flavored tobacco makes the smoking process more enjoyable and prolongs the process. As a result, a 60-minute session of hookah smoking can be equivalent to smoking 100 regular cigarettes (1) .
Despite the fact that hookah tobacco differs for the better from cigarette tobacco, it is the nicotine content that is one of the main quality characteristics. At the same time, if cigarette tobacco undergoes careful control and certification, then the requirements for hookah tobacco are different.
Water filtration of smoke in a hookah has both positive and negative effects. On the one hand, water retains about 60-80% of nicotine and about 30-50% of tar and small solids. On the other hand, chilled smoke penetrates deeper into the lungs, causing more harm.
Cigarette packs do not indicate the physical content of nicotine in tobacco, but the amount that a smoker is likely to receive when smoking. However, it all depends on the mechanics of smoking - squeezing the cigarette and taking quick puffs raises the temperature and increases the nicotine output.
The same applies to hookah tobacco. The actual numbers will depend solely on how you prepared the hookah, what kind of coal you used, how much tobacco you smoked and how deeply you inhaled the smoke. If you smoked indoors, this will significantly affect the numbers.
What is harmful hookah:
Modern cigarettes have a mechanical, carbon or other filter that traps a certain amount of harmful substances. Naturally, the water in the hookah flask cannot fully perform the filtering function - in fact, it only cools the hot smoke.
When smoking a hookah, people inhale its smoke deeper and more often - in an average session of 40-60 minutes, almost two hundred times more carbon monoxide enters the body than when smoking one cigarette (2) . With this smoke, as already mentioned in the article, it penetrates much deeper into the lungs.
Since hookah is most often smoked indoors, this increases the harm from carbon monoxide due to passive smoking. It is important to understand that due to higher doses of harmful substances, hookah smoking can lead to the development of various types of cancer and other diseases much faster.
One of the main problems of hookah smoking is that since the flask cannot be washed completely, pathogenic bacteria can begin to multiply in it. Experts believe that hookahs are responsible for the increased incidence of tuberculosis and hepatitis A (2) .
Despite the fact that in hookahs they give out a plastic nozzle on the mouthpiece, it is difficult to imagine that after each smoking session the flask is thoroughly disinfected with chlorine or an alcohol-containing liquid, and then dried. In the best case, the water is simply replaced with fresh water.
Summing up, we can say that a hookah definitely cannot be considered a safe alternative to cigarettes - for an average smoking session, hundreds of times more carbon monoxide enters the body, dozens of times more nicotine and various carcinogens that cause cancer and other diseases.
A separate problem of hookah is the fact that joint smoking can transmit many diseases - from tuberculosis, herpes and hepatitis "A", ending with the common cold. At the same time, pathogenic bacteria can remain in the flask not just for hours, but for days and weeks.
Smoking hookah is much more harmful than smoking regular cigarettes. A hookah smoker receives tens and hundreds of times more carbon monoxide, nicotine and various harmful substances (including coal smoldering products). Joint smoking of hookah is also the cause of the transmission of many diseases.
Scientific sources:
For many, hookah is one of the ways to have a good time. But people often do not even think about what this activity really is and how dangerous it can be. Let's try to figure it all out.
What is a hookah anyway? In fact, this is a vessel intended for smoking various mixtures, with its help the smoke inhaled by a person is moistened and cooled. The hookah is filled with water, spirits, milk or other liquids, which creates the necessary taste and filters the smoke. A small tube is placed inside, through which the smoke enters the liquid and is discharged through a second tube, located slightly higher. Then, with the help of a long cord, the smoke enters the respiratory tract.
Note! Hookah, being created in India, soon gained popularity among Muslim countries. In Europe, they became interested only after the fashion for everything oriental came.
In fact, a hookah is a fairly primitive device in which the filter is a liquid. Many of his fans have no idea if he is harmful, in fact, they do not even try to figure it out. The hookah is especially popular among young people, for them it is a completely harmless and, in a sense, even useful thing.
Supporters of the hookah assure: its main advantage is that you do not get used to it. But this opinion is not true, because even the special tobacco used for this contains nicotine (there is about 0.05 percent of it). This means that, for example, in a 100-gram package of tobacco there is about 0.05 g of nicotine, and such a package is usually enough for eight to ten treatments. So it turns out that in each such dressing there is approximately 6.2 mg of nicotine, and in a regular cigarette it is no more than 0.8 mg. We conclude: compared to cigarettes, hookah tobacco contains eight times more of the described substance.
Tobacco in a cup - photo
Note! Nicotine is an addictive alkaloid with powerful neurotoxic effects. Indeed, because of nicotine, hundreds of thousands of smokers are unable to overcome a bad habit, and all attempts to quit cause severe discomfort (both physically and morally).
You can argue that a hookah has a liquid filter that traps all harmful impurities, but, logically, you can come to the conclusion that cigarettes also have a filter, moreover, a more efficient one (coal), but it still does not retain nicotine. And water is not the best filter, because it is unable to clean the smoke at the proper level.
So, when smoking a hookah, nicotine still enters the body, therefore, over time, dependence on this alkaloid appears. Therefore, even if people who do not respect smoking become addicted to hookah, they become addicted. And here the transition to cigarettes is only a matter of time. Indeed, smoking a hookah too often will not work, because this requires money and time, and cigarettes are more affordable, they are always there.
Even hookah adherents say that there are much fewer carcinogens in tobacco for it than in cigarettes. Another myth, because there are a lot of dangerous impurities in smoking mixtures, although most smokers do not even know about it, because it is not always possible to find the composition or information about possible dangers on the packaging. In addition, adherents talk about allegedly less harmful tobacco - it is wet and sticky, does not burn, but seems to dry and smolder. There is an opinion that because of this, the smoke contains fewer harmful substances, but in reality, both nicotine and other poisons, say, benzapyrene, get into the lungs anyway. Who does not know, this is an extremely dangerous carcinogen, formed during the combustion of any substance, regardless of its (substance) state.
Note! Even in the smallest amounts, benzapyrene is very dangerous, because it tends to accumulate in the body over time, which is why smokers get cancer. In addition, benzapyrene is mutagenic, it provokes DNA mutations that are quite stable and can even be inherited.
When tobacco is burned, metal salts, CO and CO₂ (carbon oxides) are released, and all these substances, respectively, remain in the lungs. Moreover, there is a possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, because of which it must be released using a special valve every fifteen minutes.
Oxygen combines with incoming carbon monoxide, in connection with which oxygen starvation begins. Human tissues are deficient in the required substances (including oxygen), which is dangerous for the heart and brain. Blood vessels constrict, and oxygen does not enter at all to those parts of tissues that are located remotely, which is why the heart beats faster, the volume of blood pumped increases, the lungs work more actively, but at the same time they inhale carbon dioxide. In a word, a vicious circle is created.
Despite the assurances of hookah adherents that the smoke that passes through the liquid is enriched with oxygen molecules, studies show that in reality nothing of the kind happens. Because of this, the heart has to work at a frantic pace. According to statistics, hookah fans are more likely to suffer from cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases than cigarette lovers.
So, we found out that hookah smoking is not harmless, and sometimes dangerous. Consider the key hazards of such an occupation.
Note! In the United States, studies have been conducted that have shown that water filters tobacco smoke very poorly. This was also confirmed by the research of scientists from Germany dealing with cancer.
It is also necessary to remember that hookah tobacco is not tested for compliance with quality standards, which means that there can be no guarantees of safety. People have no idea where tobacco was grown, how it was stored, and how dangerous it is.
But young people do not usually care about this, since the main thing for their representatives is to have fun, relax and just have a good time, although such a pastime may negatively affect their health in two or three years. As a result, erectile dysfunction occurs in men, and hormonal disorders in women, which affect both appearance and the menstrual cycle.
3.7
Hookah, also known in narrow circles as "gorlyanka", "bori" or "narghile" - is gaining more and more popularity in recent years. People, especially young people, believe that relaxing with a hookah is much safer than ordinary cigarettes. And the process of inhaling fragrant hookah smoke is more pleasant.
To understand what is more harmful than hookah or cigarettes, you should know exactly how hookah smoke affects the respiratory system and what it consists of. Although the WHO representatives say with confidence that hookah use cannot be a safe alternative to regular smoking, let's understand.
The impact of hookah on the body in terms of harmfulness does not differ from smoking cigarettes
The experts of the World Health Organization during several meetings of the WHO raised and considered in detail the problem of hookah hobby. Hookah, born in African and Eastern regions, is gaining more and more new fans in Russia and Europe every year.
The percentage of distribution of hookah in the countries of the world
During the XVI session of the WHO, held in the UAE (Abu Dhabi) and dedicated to smoking and health, expert Eduard Tarshan said the following words:
« In total, a single breath of hookah smoke is almost the same in volume as the volume of smoke that a smoker inhales after smoking a whole cigarette. And the whole process of using a hookah is identical to smoking 25-30 cigarettes at a time. Based on our research, we came to the conclusion that».
According to the unanimous opinion of the experts of the Health Organization, the widespread fight against tobacco addiction must necessarily unite the fight against the hookah hobby. Especially given the general predilection for hookahs of young people.
Aromatic inclusions that are part of hookah additives are a powerful way to lure new young smokers into the “tobacco networks”. According to statistics, young people under the age of 24 are mostly fond of modern hookah.
WHO experts also remind lovers of fragrant hookah vaping that the smoke from combustible coal, which is used to heat the smoking device, contains toxic toxins. The conclusions of experts unambiguously say that hookah passion has a negative impact on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of a person.
The modern hookah is somewhat different from its eastern progenitor. This fashionable smoking device consists of a flask where liquid is poured, pipes with a built-in mouthpiece, a special shaft and a bowl for tobacco.
Hookah device
Liquid for hookah. Most often, ordinary pure water is used. There are lovers to smoke hookah on natural juice or green tea. It is believed that tea relaxes the hookah user well and gives the evaporation an exquisite aroma.
Tobacco. The choice of tobacco blends for hookah smoking is much more diverse. Three types of tobacco additives are most commonly used:
The tobacco mixture is heated and passes through a flask with liquid, then it enters the mouthpiece through a rubber hose. This is how smoking happens.
Contrary to popular belief, the fragrant smoke from a hookah is not at all safe. In terms of its toxic properties, it is in no way inferior to cigarette. And the liquid used in the process of "sessions" is not able to filter out carcinogens.
Hookah smoke is no less harmful than cigarette smoke
It has been established that hookah smokers inhale much more smoke during smoking than when smoking a cigarette. After all, some hookah gatherings can stretch for several hours.
Many years of medical practice and conducted research give the right to assert a serious detrimental effect of hookah on human health. The fascination with the antique smoking appliance comes along with many dangers:
But what about the use of hookah mixtures without nicotine content. They are heavily advertised as a harmless alternative to smoking. So the hookah can become harmless? After all, nicotine, the main killer of human health, is absent there.
Hookah smoke, even in a nicotine-free mixture, is very unhealthy
Not everything is so rosy. Long-term studies of the effects of smoke on the body prove that the smoke evaporation generated during combustion contains a large percentage of carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide (or carbon monoxide), even in small concentrations, is a deadly substance for humans.
Such a compound has the ability to react with hemoglobin. These cells, which are part of the blood, carry out the function of transporting oxygen and nutrients to all internal organs.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
Interacting with hemoglobin, carbon monoxide forms a heavy compound - carbohemoglobin. This substance stops the normal functioning of the hematopoietic system and provokes the development of oxygen starvation.
In addition to carbon monoxide, hookah smoke contains a lot of other toxic substances. Its composition (in addition to nicotine) includes:
As well as more than 4,500 components that are toxic, carcinogenic substances. These compounds belong to the group of active carcinogens, that is, they have the ability to accumulate in the human body. Carcinogens also contribute to the development of lung diseases, oncology and cardiovascular diseases.
So what is more detrimental - to get involved in the usual cigarettes or smoke fragrant hookah smoke? In all cases, the body receives a shock dose of carcinogens and toxic chemical compounds.. And there is not much difference in how harmful substances enter: there is no through a hose or a cigarette filter.
Both the hookah man and the cigarette smoker are at the same risk zone. They run the risk of encountering dangerous diseases because of their passion:
According to a study by the American Lung Association (American Lung Academy), hookah addiction is 150 times more dangerous than smoking cigarettes. In substantiating their conclusion, ALA specialists adhered to the following proven facts:
But do not think that cigarettes are safe. Modern products no longer contain real, pure tobacco (it can only be found in cigars or smoking mixtures). Cigarettes are made from artificial nicotine, the production of which is not controlled by anyone..
Smoking is dangerous in all uses
But "pure" tobacco leaves contain a large amount of a radioactive substance - polonium 210. This element is the main provocateur of the appearance of cancerous tumors. Therefore, the harm from artificial tobacco and natural is identical.
Both cigarette lovers and hookah lovers are subjected to a deadly nicotine "blow". When smoking cigarette products, the smoke primarily affects the upper lung lobes. Hookah penetrates into the middle and deep sections.
Analyzing all of the above on the topic of what is better than hookah or cigarettes, you can ask the following: “Which is safer - jumping from the 11th floor or from the 16th?” It would be better, instead of looking for a non-existent answer to this topic, to ask yourself, what is more important - addiction or freedom, illness or health?
In contact with
Hookah smoking has gained enormous popularity due to its exoticism and apparent safety for health. And if everyone knows about the dangers of cigarettes, then a lot of controversy flares up about the dangers of a hookah. What is more harmful - hookah or cigarettes - doctors say that both types of smoking pose a threat to human health.
Hookah smoking has acquired a lot of myths - it's all because of the obsessive advertising of entertainment establishments that claim that this fun can become a safer alternative to smoking regular cigarettes. However, studies conducted by the World Health Organization debunk these myths.
Hookah tobacco blends, with their variety of flavors and pleasant smells, are a real lure for the younger generation, who have never smoked before and do not have addiction. The pleasant aftertaste and enticing aroma mask dangerous tobacco secretions, thus creating the illusion of "safe smoking". In this case, nicotine addiction is formed even faster.
Thus, the answer to the question “which is safer - a hookah or cigarettes” can be unequivocally: there are no safe types of smoking, even when using nicotine-free mixtures.
To justify hookahs, it can be noted that most users of these devices are casual smokers who do not have nicotine addiction. They tend to look for new aromas, tastes, new environments and savor the hookah only superficially, without inhaling the smoke to the fullest. If dependence is observed among them, then it is more of a behavioral or social nature. However, in any case, it is dangerous to abuse such new sensations.
What is the difference between a hookah and cigarettes in terms of harm to health, a simple comparison will help to understand:
These are the main reasons why hookah is more harmful than cigarettes. A separate danger is the very tradition of hookah smoking. As you know, smoking usually takes place in a large company, when the pipe of the hookah apparatus is passed in a circle. At the same time, even the use of individual tips does not provide proper hygiene and cannot protect against infection. Some of the saliva gets not only into the tube, but also into the hookah flask, turning into a source of dangerous infections. Through a hookah, pathogens of tuberculosis, herpes, influenza and hepatitis B can be transmitted by indiscriminate salivation.
Cigarette smoke contains about 400 different chemicals and compounds. Of these, nicotine, benzapyrene, arsenic, cyanide, formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, hydrocyanic acid, benzene and polonium are considered the most dangerous. Their destructive effect covers almost all human organs and systems.
One of the most formidable consequences of nicotine use is cancer. Malignant tumors are most susceptible to the lungs, bronchi, trachea, esophagus, larynx, bladder, pancreas, kidneys, reproductive system and hematopoiesis.
It should be noted right away that all the negative consequences of smoking cigarettes apply to hookah smoking. Hookah smoke is just as dangerous to the respiratory, cardiovascular and reproductive systems as cigarette smoke.
How harmful is hookah compared to cigarettes - just as much as more smoke enters the lungs.
To get a rough idea of the dangers of a hookah, scientists suggest mentally evaluating the result of smoking a whole block of cigarettes in one hour. Exactly so many toxic compounds are received by a hookah fan in one session. In addition to poisoning with tobacco smoke, a hookah smoker is at risk of contracting infectious diseases.
Hookah is not a safe alternative to cigarettes because of the pronounced dependence. Dependence on a hookah develops not only on a chemical, but also on a psychological level. The hookah smoking session itself looks like a real ceremony, and through the use of aromatic additives, it enhances positive emotions. The presence of a cheerful company and a friendly environment leads to the fact that the addiction develops even faster. The need to smoke a hookah and at the same time communicate in a cozy environment appears regularly, and the destructive effects of toxins become more pronounced and dangerous.
Taking into account all these factors, it can be noted that the harm of hookah compared to cigarettes is much more noticeable. And even such tricks as water filters, disposable mouthpieces and nicotine-free mixtures cannot protect a person from the dangerous consequences of smoking. Only a complete rejection of bad habits will be the first step towards well-being and good health.
Hookah came to us from eastern countries, where it is smoked everywhere. Previously, people considered such a strange design a curiosity. Now hookah is offered in almost all bars, nightclubs, cafes and even restaurants. There are specially equipped establishments - hookahs, which offer their customers a pleasant time in a club of smoke. Due to the high popularity, people are addicted to aromatic tobacco, so they are wondering about the benefits and harms of hookah.
Hookah is very popular due to the special smoking mixture, which has a pleasant aroma. The smoking technique itself is also impressive, when exhaling, a ball of steam is formed, which attracts attention.
Hookah tobacco is different from that used in cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos. The difference is visible in appearance, taste, the end result of the smoking process itself.
In general, the mixture resembles a sticky mass with a slightly oily texture. The smoking composition is produced according to the principle of molasses. Flavorings and flavor enhancers are additionally introduced if necessary.
Some believe that hookah smoking mixture is a collection of herbs, pieces of tropical fruits or berries. This is partly true, but for the most part, tobacco is also added to the composition. If we talk about tobacco-free smoking blends, they are the most useful.
An indispensable part of the hookah is a specific liquid, which is poured into the flask of the device. The basis of this composition can be water, herbal decoction, fruit or berry juice, carbonated drinks, milk, wine, etc. Sometimes esters are added, the benefits of which have been known since ancient times.
Hookah is harmful to health in any form, in other cases, the positive impact is manifested only psychologically. You yourself say that in this way you relax, and you need such a process.
