mouse_click Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 hello, this is my first post on here ^__^ i'm new, but not new to hookahs. i've been smoking hookah since i was 15, and picked up cigarettes sometime around when i was 17 and dropped them a year ago.anyways, on to the topic:i am a FIRM believer that hookah smoke is indeed healthier than cigarette smoke, but i can't seem to find anything credible that'll back me up, and i feel like it's more of a political thing rather than a health thing as to why they bash hookah smoking so hard. my deductions:1. hookah tobacco is still in it's natural form (leaves and stems and parts of plants) which aren't infused with added nicotine and other addictive chemicals (as cigarettes are)2. it is soaked in honey or molasses and some flavoring, so when a coal is put on the tinfoil over the tobacco it heats and thus evaporates or vaporizes those liquids far before it starts burning the tobacco.3. the coal is put on a piece of tinfoil to keep it from having direct contact with the tobacco and thus doesn't burn it until all of the liquid is gone - and usually that's when i decide to call it good cause burning the tobacco makes it feel harsh like a cigarette.4. the water in the base catches all the debris and ash and i think some of the heavier substances that come in the smoke, possibly tar? because that's kindof heavy to be traveling up from the water and through the hose into your lungs.so my questions are:1. is charcoal on tinfoil dangerous?2. is the flavoring used in the shisha dangerous?3. what are the exact ingredients in shisha?4. what do you think about my conclusions? right? wrong?and if anyone knows of a site or somewhere i can get legit hookah facts that support my assumptions, PLEASE POST! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 I don't know but all I can say is shisha isn't addictive. I feel like I could drop it anytime if I wanted to. And I smoke several times a week and I don't feel like it's harming my health. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHTS OF BAGHDAD Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 man we get these posts once a week it seems..to make it short and simple..is it healthier ten smoking cigs? well thats like saying a bullet to the head and jumping off a building will both kill me but which will be faster..does it matter? they both will kill you its the same end result..so no smoking a hookah isnt healthy for you..it just comes down to 2 questions in my opinion..do you wana die smoking flavored or menthol? and do you wana die spending $8 a pack for cigs or $10 on avg for 250grams..sorry if i came off rough..but i hate these questions and i know if i dont like them i should move on..but i decided this time to get it off my chest..sorry to the op nothing personal.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 1. is charcoal on tinfoil dangerous?nope...i can place tons of charcoal on tinfoil. won't do a damn thing...now, when it's lit and in start inhaling the CO and whatnot...yep, dangerous.2. is the flavoring used in the shisha dangerous?wouldn't think so...some dyes and flavorings may cause an allergic reaction. other than that, the flavorings itself my not be dangerous...but, heating and inhaling them is...3. what are the exact ingredients in shisha?tobacco, molasses/corn syrup/honey, glycerin, and flavoring4. what do you think about my conclusions? right? wrong?i do believe cigarettes to be more harmful, healthwise to hookah...but, i don't believe hookah to be safe. both are bad for you and neither can be deemed "healthy"...no way around it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUBBS Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Im actually doing a paper on it for school. I have access to lots of databases with credible sources. Hopefully I can help you guys out. There used to be a guy on here doing a study @ NYU in their chemical labs in a null chamber, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippo_Master Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Well after coming up on 9 years now, and 5 of that smoking unflavored stuff, not inhaling all the time but most of the time + tons of Cigars....No spots on my lungs in the x-ray, no shortness of breath, nada. Healthy throat and nose and mouth. I'm either lucky, or it's not even 1/4 as bad as cigarettes. I have smoked a cigarette before, and when I woke up the nest morning I could have died and would have liked it much better than the cigarette hangover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joytron Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 I feel like when either side makes any claims it better have some facts to back it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zinite Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 http://www.jnrbm.com/content/5/1/17http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/5/1/19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webbles Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 My beautiful fiance was trying to convince me, that smoking will kill me sooner. She went on and explained to me that if i continue smoking, it will shorten my life with her. All this while we were stuck in : Its all relative. Enjoy your life. If you enjoy smoking, smoke up. If you enjoy bean sprouts & spinach w/ mineral water over a fat greasy cheeseburger, its your prerogative.There are things you can do to better your quality of life, physically as well as mentally. Moderation is key in ANYTHING. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RingsMaster Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 here we go again lol, but seriously the only thing that that i found is that after a while it starts to kill my asthma when i run, so idk if its just me or the tobacco, other than that mollases has been now to help fight bacteria in the lungs so thats a plus, i havent had any lung problems since i started smoking hookah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K1024 Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/5/1/19http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsc4r3I2Pgc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Yeah, another thing I wanna add... I've smoked a few cigs before, and I didn't feel too great afterwards. Smoking hookah, I've never felt bad afterwards. Sure, quicklite coals give me headaches, but other than that I've felt more harm done from cigarettes, such as lungs/throat hurting. PLUS..."You smell like cigarettes." -Forrest Gump. You don't smell like cigs after smoking hookah. You either don't smell at all or you smell good from whatever flav you smoked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouse_click Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 yes this is actually for a paper and presentation in my speech class thank you everyone so very much!^__^ get this - it's a demonstration speech in which i'm teaching how to prepare a hookah and my professor's letting me fire it up in class!thanks again for the links and insight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattarios2 Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 that is freakin awesome mouse_click. I tried doing that in a class of mine, but the professor said no, eh, you win some you lose some.You won! YAAAAY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoapplesplease Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Welcome to the forums..I used to smoke 1/2 a pack a day of ciggs and now I smoke alot of hookah instead and I can say without a doubt my lungs feel better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtm2007 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 http://www.independentcollegian.com/2.1003...rmful-1.1324466^ This is a prime example of unsubstantiated and biased information on how bad hookah is. Amongst other laughable claims, HIV is listed as one of the STD's able to be contracted by smoking hookah. However, below is another article which seems a little more credible.http://www.addictioninfo.org/articles/2968...mful/Page1.htmlKeep in mind these studies are published by the WHO and ALA. Both of which would recommend living unreasonably overprotective lifestyles in order to "stay healthy".In general, I'm extremely fond of hookah because of the following reasons:1. Tastes great2. Clouds are cool3. Hookahs are pretty4. Great socializing toolNegative side effects *might* include:1. Nicotine addiction2. Bad chemicals from shisha, coals, burning tinfoilI work out daily, and one thing I have noticed is that I'm breathing heavier lately while working out, but that could be from numerous other reasons like I'm not working out properly and gradually getting out of shape again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquidglass Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 QUOTE (mouse_click @ Oct 14 2009, 06:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>yes this is actually for a paper and presentation in my speech class thank you everyone so very much!^__^ get this - it's a demonstration speech in which i'm teaching how to prepare a hookah and my professor's letting me fire it up in class!thanks again for the links and insight!I had a friend who did this for his speech class (NinjaCamel on here) and his professor LOVED it. Not to mention the entire class which just peppered him with questions afterwards and needless to say we had already set up a place and time for him to invite anyone in class that wanted to come to so we could prepare a few hookahs and answer any questions they might have outside of class. My suggestion is set aside a time or two where you'd feel comfortable inviting a few curious people over to try it and you might just get some new hookah buddies (or hookah students) Ended up tutoring a lot of people in the art of hookah after a demonstration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhineholt Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 QUOTE (Arcane @ Oct 14 2009, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>1. is charcoal on tinfoil dangerous?nope...i can place tons of charcoal on tinfoil. won't do a damn thing...now, when it's lit and in start inhaling the CO and whatnot...yep, dangerous.2. is the flavoring used in the shisha dangerous?wouldn't think so...some dyes and flavorings may cause an allergic reaction. other than that, the flavorings itself my not be dangerous...but, heating and inhaling them is...3. what are the exact ingredients in shisha?tobacco, molasses/corn syrup/honey, glycerin, and flavoring4. what do you think about my conclusions? right? wrong?i do believe cigarettes to be more harmful, healthwise to hookah...but, i don't believe hookah to be safe. both are bad for you and neither can be deemed "healthy"...no way around it.I like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDHarding Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I hooked up a cigarette to a hookah once, and when I smoked it, it was harsh.. I don't think the hookah or water really filters anything out. I think it all has to do with the foil and coals being away from the tobacco, and thus only cooking it, instead of burning it. Most of us stop smoking once it gets harsh, while cigarettes are burning the tobacco and are harsh through-out. The only really dangerous aspect of hookah is the carbon monoxide poisoning from the coals. Cigs don't give nearly as much of this as a hookah does, and the more coals on top, the more poisoning.Cigs are probably more dangerous as far as the smoke caused from burning paper and tobacco. I'm not saying the smoke from a hookah is healthier, but if it causes you to cough, then it's probably irritating your throat and lungs more than another smoke. Also, there's far more tar in cigarettes than in hookah. Tar's that yellow stuff that shows up on a cigarette filter. I've never seen any tar from my hookah, most likely because tar isn't released till after the tobacco is burned.But all in all, smoke is smoke, and smoke is bad when inhaled. How dangerous the smoke is depends on what's burning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K1024 Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 i did a speech almost exactly like yours...if you do some searching on here you can actually find 5 or 6 out lines (including mine with sources)my speech went really well...hookah is kind of a new topic, and most people are really interested to learn about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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