Lifting the tobacco smoke screen, from Dr. Baker and Healthy Smiles

Dr. Bradford Baker and our team participate in the San Diego State University’s health program, “Healthy Smiles.” This month’s topic is other forms of tobacco, such as hookah. This form of tobacco is relatively new in the U.S. and we wanted to provide our patients with some current information about hookah.

Hookah or the “water pipe” refers to the use of tobacco in a method by which the smoke passes through water prior to entering the smoker’s body.

Passing smoke through water does NOT make it healthier or safer. In fact, smoking hookah is just as harmful and addictive as cigarettes!

Smoke from a single hookah session contains approximately 36 times the tar, 8.3 times the carbon monoxide and 1.7 times the nicotine of the smoke produced by 1 cigarette.

Smoking hookah has been linked to lung cancer, oral cancer, and respiratory, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Shared mouthpieces pose a health risk for infectious diseases such tuberculosis.

Hookah bars expose non-smokers to second hand smoke risks including high levels of fine particles known to cause cardio-respiratory problems.

The tobacco industry markets hookah to teens and young-adults and portray tobacco as exotic, sophisticated and fun. Hookah is usually available at bars or lounges around college campuses, even in San Diego, CA!