Written By: Paul Oisamoje

A tradition known as Shisha smoking is thought to have started around the 16th century in India's Northwest provinces near the Pakistani border. Interestingly, the earliest Shisha smoking apparatus is believed to have been made from coconut shells and, milk was used as the liquid to filter the smoke from opium or hashish at that time. To better understand Shisha - it is a smoking method that utilizes charcoal-heated air that passes through tobacco mixture to forms a puff of smoke. This smokes goes into a water-filled chamber and a tube and mouthpiece are then used to inhale the smoke for "pleasure". Shisha is also called hookah, narghile, argileh, and other enchanting names.

5 Sneaky Health Dangers Behind Shisha’s Seductive Scent

Today, shisha is available in enticing flavours like watermelon, tropical fruit, orange cream, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and lots more. A survey from 2013-2014 found that kids ages 12-17 started smoking Shisha because it came in different flavors they liked. According to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 0.2% of Nigerians aged 15 to 59 smoke shisha.2 Studies of secondary school pupils and university students have reported 3% to 7% shisha smoking prevalence. It is believed that passing smoke through a water-filled chamber filter makes shisha smoking safer than smoking cigarettes. However, according to scientific research, shisha smokers absorb a higher concentration of toxic smoke than smokers of cigarettes. It is partially due to the frequency with which shisha smoking is puffed and the depth with which one inhales. A shisha session typically lasts between 45 mins to an hour, and the user can inhale up to 200 times more smoke than they would if they smoked a cigarette (as concluded by a US study).

 

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Now, here are 5 dangers lurking in the seductive scent of Shisha

1. Cardiovascular Disease:

   Shisha smoke puts harmful chemicals into your body that can block or damage your blood vessels, making it harder for your heart to work. This can lead to serious problems like high blood pressure, heart attacks, or strokes. Even though people think the water cleans the smoke, it doesn’t. Shisha still contains dangerous stuff like carbon monoxide and cancer-causing chemicals. Just one session can be as bad as smoking 20 cigarettes.5

2. Respiratory Risks:

   Smoking shisha can hurt your lungs because it uses burning charcoal, which releases a harmful gas called carbon monoxide. This makes it harder for your body to get enough oxygen, so your heart has to work harder. Sharing shisha pipes can also spread germs and sickness. Breathing in the smoke for a long time can lead to coughing, trouble breathing, and make asthma worse.3

3. Reproductive Health:

   Shisha smoking can harm the parts of the body that help people have babies. For women, it can cause problems during pregnancy, like making it harder to breathe or having a baby that’s too small. It can also make it harder to get pregnant. For men, it can lower sperm count and make it harder to have children. Smoking shisha can also make some health treatments for having babies less likely to work.

4. Nicotine Addiction:

   Shisha has nicotine, the same addictive stuff found in cigarettes. It can make people feel good at first, especially when shared with friends, so they may want to do it more often. But over time, their bodies get used to it and they need more to feel the same. That’s how people get addicted. Many shisha lounges near schools make it even easier for young people to start.

5. The Oral Health Overlook:

   Smoking shisha often can hurt your mouth. It can cause bad breath, sore gums, mouth sores, and even mouth cancer because of the hot smoke. Dentists have noticed more of these problems in people who use shisha, including slower healing and gum disease.

Conclusion

It's crucial to look beyond the alluring scent and social ambiance that shisha provides and consider the health implications it carries. I implore our readers to consider these risks seriously and to think twice before partaking in shisha smoking. Remember, your well-being is priceless and it is wealth. Note of warning!!! Recent reports have warned that smoking is poised to surpass all other causes of preventable death worldwide.

In conclusion, if you're seeking to quit smoking, it's essential to recognize that you're not alone. With appropriate support, you're more likely to quit successfully. Share your intention to quit with loved ones, as they can offer invaluable support. Additionally, consider reaching out to DoctorOnTap for guidance on quitting smoking. Our healthcare professionals will provide actionable advice and a structured approach to help you achieve your goal of quitting.

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References

1. Is Shisha Smoking Harmful? by New Medical Life Science
2. Reasons for shisha smoking: Findings from a mixed methods study among adult shisha smokers in Nigeria by National Library of Medicine
3. Facts About Hookah by American Lung Association
4. The Negative Effects of Shisha on Youth by Thisday Newspaper