Hookah, is it really harmless?

Respir Med. 2014 May;108(5):661-7. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2014.01.013. Epub 2014 Feb 8.

Abstract

The hookah is a snuff smoking device whose origin dates back to the fifteenth century, has been used extensively in the Middle East in recent decades has become popular in Western culture countries, particularly in Americas and Europe. It has been reported that like other forms smoking tobacco, their use can lead to addiction also is used for inhaling and other addictive substances. Has also been considered a risk factor for various isolated diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), different types of cancer, hemodynamic alterations, vascular disease, infectious diseases, among others. In pregnant women has been reported that there use condition a diminution on fetal growth and different diseases in the newborn. It was also mentioned that hookah smoke contains several toxic substances that can affect both, the primary and the passive smoker, so we did this review to determine the complications associated with its use.

Keywords: Cancer; Hookah; Risk factor; Second hand smoke.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Communicable Diseases / transmission
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / etiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / etiology
  • Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / adverse effects
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / etiology

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution