Two Interesting Articles About Hookah Use

[ahwahoo2006]

From the Journal of Adolescent Health, v.42, i. V (May 2008), p. 434-435 and 526-529

Hookahs—also known as shisha, nargile, and hubblebubble—are single- or multi-stemmed waterpipes used for tobacco smoking. Originating in India in the early 1700s and at times used for cannabis products as well as tobacco, thesewaterpipes also are commonly seen in Turkey and the MiddleEast. Waterpipes were also often associated with the drugculture of the 1960s and 1970s. More recently, tobacco smok-ing using hookahs has been heavily marketed to college pop-ulations and young adults in many western nations [1,2]. Hoo-kah bars have opened near many U.S. college campuses, and hookahs have become common at college parties [3].In this issue of the Journal, Eisenberg and colleagues reporta nearly 50% lifetime prevalence rate and a 20% past 30-day use rate among first-year college students at Virginia Com-monwealth University [4]. This is concerning, because addic-tion to nicotine develops extremely rapidly. Even a single orcasual exposure to nicotine can changes the brain’s receptors,contributing to development of addiction; and adolescents inseveral large studies report a loss of autonomy over tobacco even after a single cigarette [5,6]. Thus the idea that it is safe to bean “experimental” smoker is an incorrect, antiquated concept. Hookah smoking delivers nicotine to youth, often using flavored and sweetened products, in settings with pro-social,positive messages. As is true with portrayal of smoking inthe media, this leads to positive behavioral expectancies, further increasing the addictive risk of casual use. Theexperience is spread through social, word-of-mouth use on college campuses, and in “hookah bars” or cafés frequented by youth. Substantial misinformation about the smoke being“cleaner” or “natural” is passed along, without any mention of the fact that nicotine adsorbed this way is just as addic-tive. Hookah and waterpipe users are thus at risk because the nicotine exposure is reinforced by pro-social activity,and the word-of-mouth marketing messages undermine health facts about the harms of the product. The “clean,” healthier theme was common in the tobacco industry’s marketing of so-called “light” and “low-tar”products as healthier and/or safer over earlier decades. The traditional culture or “natural” theme has similarly been used in considered recent tobacco marketing using Native American imagery. In truth, Native American culturestreated traditional or ceremonial tobacco use as a religious,sacred activity, and would not culturally condone casual,nontraditional consumption [7].The global tobacco epidemic already kills nearly 5.4million people per year, and will kill more than 1 billionpeople in the current century [8]. The prevalence that Eisenberg and colleagues report, although varying slightly from other small surveys, suggests that a serious problem already exists among youth in our country and in many others. From a clinical perspective, this means that early adolescent prevention messages need to be repeatedand nonsmokers need to be counseled about avoiding nic-otine in all forms—including waterpipes —in social set-tings. Social inoculation is powerful as a prevention tool,but only if the truly effective messages that there is no safe,experimental way to use tobacco gets to the vulnerablepopulation of youth. From a public health perspective, Eisenberg’s findings have implications for inclusion of waterpipes and their marketing to young adults in implementing preven-tion strategies. Efforts to eliminate adolescents’ exposure to tobacco must recognize hookah use and promotion as just another attempt at creating addiction to nicotine.Hookah products should be included in counter-market-ing efforts, clean indoor air regulations, and other policyinitiatives designed to prevent nicotine addiction andtobacco use.

The second article examined prevalence of Hookah Smoking among college students

Purpose: Waterpipe tobacco smoking is reported to be growing in popularity, particularly among college students. This study examined the prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking prevalence and perceptions in a university-based population. Method: This was a cross-sectional Internet-based survey of first-year university students, which examined waterpipe tobacco smoking and other tobacco use, risk perceptions, influences, and perceived social acceptability. Results: Waterpipe tobacco smoking within the past 30 days was reported by 20% (151/744).Relative to never users, users were more likely to perceive waterpipe tobacco smoking as less harmful than cigarette use. Conclusions: Because waterpipe tobacco smoking is increasing in prevalence and because it can involve toxicant inhalation at even greater levels than with cigarette smoking, it represents agrowing public health issue.

[chromecarz00]

Ahhh stupid people. I cant read the whole thing, but it seems everyone is bashing hookah. Arg.
I am going to set the record straight once and for all.

[ahwahoo2006]

Yes, the first one is basically an editorial about how bad hookah is. The second one was interesting to me just because of the high number of people who are into it now. I just thought it was an interesting commentary on the rising popularity.

[Bulldog_916]

I think hookah has reached it's peak popularity. If will begin to fall as these college classes cycle out and pick up new things. Very few will continue to smoke hookah at bars and lounges because the cost per session is very high. As the costs for simple goods like food, gasoline and housing continue to rise, less people will be able to afford the luxury of hookah smoking and the rates will drop down to pre-popularity levels, forcing most lounges to shut down. This is just a bubble like any other, once it pops it leaves its resident retailers in a bad state. Lounge owners should prepare yourselves and not expand more than your means allow.

[DarkParade]

well if you look at what all is in hookah tobacco then compair it to a list of things in cigs

BIG DIFFERENCE