A study from UC San Francisco says “many mistakenly believe that using the fragrant water pipe is less harmful than smoking cigarettes.” (1)
Interestingly, while cigarettes seem to be out, smoking hookahs is in.
“Although cigarette smoking among young people is on the decline, the prevalence of hookah (also called waterpipe or narghile) is increasing, particularly on college campuses across the United States.”
The American Lung Association agrees, calling hookah smoking an ‘emerging deadly trend’ (2). And, a study from BMC Public Health says that “The emergence of hookah is being noted on college campuses and in large U.S. cities and evidence points to an increasing trend for college students.” (3) In fact, “Waterpipe tobacco smoking has been spreading globally at a remarkable pace.” (2)
Another study showed that “3,770 students at eight universities in North Carolina found more than 40 percent had smoked a hookah at least once, only slightly lower than the percentage who had tried a cigarette at least once.” (4)
The results of these studies are important since, “Infectious diseases (including the herpes virus) may be transmitted by sharing a hookah,” according to the CDC. (5)
Due to the concern raised in the medical community over this new trend, Dr. Tracey Barnett and colleagues wrote that:
“As hookah surpasses cigarette use, efforts need to be made to slow the increase in new tobacco products that are attractive to young adults and that pose many of the same health risks as those related to traditional tobacco products. Prevalence of all emerging tobacco products, including hookah, and the relationship with cigarette use needs to be monitored on an ongoing basis.” (3)
References:
(1) Norris, J. “Smoking from Hookah Not a Harmless Alternative to Cigarettes.” Published April 17, 2013 – University of California in San Francisco
(2) American Lung Association. Washington: American Lung Association, 2007
(3) Barnett TE, Smith T, He Y, Soule EK, Curbow BA, Tomar SL, McCarty C. “Evidence of emerging hookah use among university students: a cross-sectional comparison between hookah and cigarette use.” BMC Public Health. 2013 Apr 5;13:302.
(4) Quenqua, D. “Putting a Crimp in the Hookah.” Published May 30, 2011 – The New York Times
(5) CDC.gov – Smoking & Tobacco Use – Hookahs