Shisha Tobacco Health Effects

Shisha Tobacco is also called water pipe Tobacco, hookah, or narghile. It allows one to smoke tobacco using a water pipe. Some people have a misconception that shisha smoking is less harmful to their health than other types of smoking like cigarette smoking.

It’s essential to note that there are several health effects associated with shisha tobacco smoking as follows:

 

Respiratory Problems

The respiratory system and the lungs can be irritated by shisha smoking since it involves inhaling smoke. It can result in wheezing, coughing, and phlegm production. Using shisha Tobacco for a long time may increase the risk of developing respiratory problems such as nasal congestion, asthma, bronchitis, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Tobacco-Related Diseases

Prolonged use of shisha can result in the development of Tobacco-related diseases including oral cancer, heart disease, and lung cancer.

Increased Risks of Infections

Sharing the same shisha pipe or mouthpiece during smoking can facilitate the transmission of infections including hepatitis, tuberculosis, and herpes.

Exposure to Carbon Monoxide

Shisha Tobacco produces a poisonous gas known as carbon monoxide when it’s being burned. Symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, muscle lethargy, and headaches can be caused by inhaling high levels of Shisha Tobacco. Also in severe cases, it can be life-threatening.

Secondhand Smoke

Individuals around shisha smokers can be exposed to secondhand smoke that contains toxic chemicals, carbon monoxide, and toxic particles found in cigarette smoke. These people may experience similar health issues such as heart diseases, respiratory problems, and an increased risk of cancer.

Cardiovascular Effects

Shisha Tobacco smokers typically smoke more often and longer, inhale more deeply, and take more puffs than cigarette smokers. The way the smoke is cooled, they get to absorb more nicotine in high concentrations. Therefore, smoking shisha has been associated with ischemic heart failure, heart disease, abnormal obesity, and the development of coronary artery disease, indicating an association with metabolic syndrome.

Addiction

Nicotine is contained in Shisha Tobacco and it’s a highly addictive substance. Regular or prolonged use of shisha Tobacco can result in nicotine dependence. This will make it difficult for individuals to reduce or quit Shisha Tobacco consumption.

Oral Health Issues

Smoking shisha Tobacco involves drawing the smoke through water where it’s cooled before inhalation. The smoke still comes into contact with the teeth and mouth since this process does not remove all the harmful and toxic chemicals. Long-time use of shisha Tobacco may result in oral health problems such as bad breath, tooth decay, stained teeth, and gum disease.

Increased Cancer Risk

Numerous harmful chemicals are contained in shisha Tobacco smoke such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and benzene. These substances are potentially known to be carcinogenic. Exposure to them for the long term through smoking shisha can increase the risk of developing various types of cancers including oral, stomach, lung, esophageal, colorectal, bladder, and nasopharyngeal cancer.

Effect on Infertility and Pregnancy

Shisha smoking during pregnancy is associated with increased pulmonary issues for newborn and low-birth-weight babies. Pregnant women should not smoke shisha and not be exposed to secondhand smoke.

It’s essential to note that using a water pipe does not eliminate the risks associated with Shisha Tobacco. The smoke might be cooled by water, making it less harsh but still does not filter out the harmful and toxic components present in the smoke.

Therefore, people exposed to secondhand smoke and shisha smokers possess significant health problems. The best way of protecting your health is avoiding or quitting Shisha Tobacco.

Conclusion

As you can see, shisha tobacco smoking has some health effects. Therefore, before you start smoking, it is important to consider whether it is actually safe for your or not.