The Truth About Shisha

The Myths about Shisha
Shisha is relatively new in many countries and it is growing in popularity among young people. There are a wide variety of misconceptions about shisha which lead people to believe that it is a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes.

As shisha tobacco contains a mixture of sweet smelling fruit, molasses (sugar) and herbs it is easy to understand why many people are under the impression that it is a less harmful type of smoking. The bubbling water also creates the illusion that the smoke is being purified and cleaned.

The Truth

In reality, the bubbling water does not filter out all the toxins; the fruity smoke contains cancer causing chemicals, it is not a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes; it can lead to a nicotine addiction and can cause serious harm to your health.

Ten myth-busting facts

1. Shisha smoking can be as harmful as smoking cigarettes.
2. Fruit flavours disguise the harmful tobacco in shisha.
3. Smoking shisha through bubbling water won't filter out dangerous toxins.
4. Shisha smoking during pregnancy can harm the unborn baby.
5. 1 hour of smoking shisha = inhaling up to 200 times the volume of smoke in 1 cigarette.
6. Second-hand shisha smoke poses a serious health risk.
7. Sharing a shisha mouthpiece can spread diseases - eg TB, Oral herpes.
8. 'Tobacco-free' shisha isn't safe - smokers can inhale dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
9. Shisha tobacco contains highly addictive nicotine.
10. Shisha smoking can damage your health.

Sources

World Health Organisation 2005

 http://www.coventrypct.nhs.uk/YourHealth/Shisha