| Devised in the Middle East several centuries ago, the | | | | metals into the smoke. Charcoal, which is a traditional |
| hookah is considered very hip among teen smokers in | | | | favorite, can release these hydrocarbons in much |
| the US. The hookah, also known by different names | | | | higher proportions. Also, hookah smoke is not irritating |
| as the shisha, narghile or the slang term 'hubble-bubble', | | | | at the onset. As it is also masked with artificial and |
| actually consists of a metal cylinder fitted with a vessel | | | | natural fruit essences, men, women as well as children |
| containing burning coals on the top, a vessel containing | | | | enjoy smoking the hookah. This gives rise to longer |
| water at the bottom and a hose through which smoke | | | | sessions with the hookah. This is a very dangerous |
| is inhaled. | | | | situation, as it makes the body more vulnerable to |
| Hookah smoking requires some preparation. The | | | | nicotine infections.Nicotine has been now proven to be |
| mixture to be smoked contains tobacco and a mild | | | | a carcinogen. It is also addictive. However, hookah |
| substance such as honey, molasses or some dried | | | | smokers claim that hookah-smoking is not as addictive |
| fruit. When the smoker inhales through the hose, a | | | | as smoking other forms of tobacco. Hookah-smoking |
| pressure buildup inside the hookah chamber causes | | | | is also a cultural activity. There are hookahs with |
| the smoke to run into the mouth of the smoker. Before | | | | several hoses fitted to them, enabling a number of |
| the smoke reaches the hose, it has to pass through | | | | people to smoke the hookah at the same time. |
| the lighted coal and the water. The coal heats up the | | | | Hookah smoke is actually not very smoky. There are |
| smoke and the water cools it down. It is traditionally | | | | many flavors to it - apple, vanilla, cappuccino, |
| believed that the water absorbs most of the nicotine | | | | strawberry, pomegranate, orange, etc. These do |
| and tar from the hookah smoke. Actually, hookah | | | | nothing more than disguise the tobacco flavor. Today |
| smoking mixtures that are available in the market are | | | | hookah-smoking has become a very fashionable thing |
| labeled as 'no-tar' and have less nicotine. But this really | | | | to do at coffee shops in the US. It is not unusual to |
| depends on how long the hookah-smoker draws a | | | | see teens puffing away at these hubble-bubbles, as |
| puff. Avid hookah smokers may place the coal right on | | | | they call them, in coffee shops and even in rave |
| top of the shisha mixture to get a stronger flavor.One | | | | parties. In fact, in a dangerous turn of events, many |
| of the dangers of hookah smoking is the mixture of | | | | teens have started adding marijuana and other drugs |
| hydrocarbon gases in the smoke from the burning coal. | | | | into the shisha mixture. |
| Coal releases hydrocarbons and even poisonous | | | | |