Hookah

[Ducy]

Is hookah bad for you? I mean I know that is tobacco, but it seems that there are a lot of contrasting views.

[HardNgood]

it is what it is...glorified bong(using tobacco instead of illegal substances)..of course it's not good for you according to the medical society, I'd just say use it moderately, if that is YOUR choice. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff,saying this after losing two favorites in a plane crash Friday!

[Massdebator]

From what I gather, the (incorrect) belief that the use of a hookah isn't bad for your health stems from the filtering of tobacco smoke through water. A hookah is essentially a bong with flexible pipes extending from it. Although I occasionally partake myself, I make no mistake that is is good for me. Studies have shown that smoking a bowl of tobacco from a hookah (This takes approximately an hour and a half, depending on how fast you smoke it. Suffice it to say, this is a LOT of tobacco.) is similar to smoking 300 cigarettes. I've heard higher estimates, as well. This also doesn't factor in the sulfur compounds from the charcoals in the smoke. However, smoking hookah for most people, esp. the college students with which the instrument has become popular, is a social event and many people smoke from the same bowl. You aren't getting the carcinogen equivalent of 300-500 cigs if you share it.
Bottom line: The benefits of the water filtration are limited to making the smoke much MUCH smoother (like silk, mmm...), as they are negated by the amount of tobacco smoked, the deeper inhalations taken (in comparison to cig. inhalation), and the sulfur compounds from the coals. It is no less hazardous than any other form of tobacco use and you choose to partake at your own risk. Also, you should abide by local laws regarding tobacco sales and use, etc.

[oedipussy]

Well, considering that you live in the air pollution capital of the world, I'm sure that smoking a hookah would be quite a bit healthier for you than breathing air is. Is it good for you? I don't know - is eating pizza good for you? How about kissing someone? Or spending a day at a sunny beach with your friends? Or just generally living life? Let's face it - the only way you can avoid things that are bad for you is to live in a sterilized bubble completely removed from the outside world. And I have to ask - Is THAT any good for you either? Everything you hear about the "dangers of smoking" is propaganda designed by radical nutjobs to force their will on other people (not to say that there's no truth to their claims, but they're highly exaggerated at best). As far as I'm concerned, it's not any worse than anything else is...

Yes, smoking a hookah is good for you. Actually, it's GREAT for you. It's an entirely relaxing, enjoyable experience that let's you have a good time with other people, even those who would otherwise never smoke. I enjoy it immensely - the exotic flavors, the "smoothness", the feeling, the atmosphere of a hookah bar. It's good for the soul, and in this world, that's the best you can expect from anything...

[Confusedone]

i am gonna have to agree with Massdebator,

the thing with hookah is that while its still tobacco....it isn't the same as a cig in that

a) you wont smoke it as often becuase it takes longer to finish, and more time to set up
b) you can't do it anywhere you need a table and a place to sit
c) you normally share it when you do set it up, so you don't get all of the tobacco to yourself
d) if you believe the packages, there is supposedly less in this form of tobacco than cig tobacco, if true would make it a little healthier for you

while at the same time its not healthy becuase your smoking....i don't care what your smoking its still bad for you

i will say this its fun...i hate cigs and cigars i wont ever smoke them but i will partake in hookah every now and then with friends...hookah is the embodiment of how smoking is meant to be, a social event time to sit and talk with people.