Shisha (Hookahs) 200 times more risky than Cigarette smoking.

Smoking of Shisha is fast becoming a societal norm. It is alarming that young men smoke Shisha in the pub to flaunt their social status as “big boys” while girls do same to show they are more outgoing and enjoying the “club world” and “nightlife” than their peers. The world hasn’t seen the last of this burning jar called Shisha. The use of Shisha is fast increasing and the display of it on social media is also taking the same trajectory. It is obvious we are fuelling the epidemiological transition; the smoking of Shisha favours respiratory diseases and cancer to mention a few. According to the Centers for Disease Control and  Prevention, Shisha is not safer than cigarette smoking as it is widely believed among its users. In fact, the following types of cancer have been linked to Shisha smoking:

•    Oral cancer

•    Lung cancer

•    Stomach cancer

•    Cancer of the esophagus

•    Reduced lung function

•    Decreased fertility

In addition to all these diseases, Shisha smokers are also at the risk of infectious diseases. Yea, that is the reality.The Same mouthpiece used or shared by Shisha smokers is dangerous! It is not healthy and the consequence is the transmission of infectious diseases. I know you want to say “we change the mouthpiece” or “I have my personal mouthpiece”. Agreed but the truth is that; majority don’t and majority share the same mouth peace. Double tragedy is the consequence.

Some of the diseases that can be transmitted through the saliva are:

1.    common cold

2.    flu

3.    Meningococcal disease

4.    Rubella

5.    Tuberculosis (TB)

6.    cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection

7.    Glandular Fever

8.    Hepatitis B

So, the use of the same mouthpiece could lead to an exchange of saliva and the consequence could be harmful if one person is carrying an infection. The best way to stop this should be through mass education and that is what we are doing here. Please educate others because many of them do not know the consequences of using Shisha.



References:
 https://www.healthxchange.sg/sites/hexassets/Assets/heart-lungs/shisha-more-harmful-than-cigarettes.jpg

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/tobacco_industry/hookahs/index.htm