Unveiling the Harms of ‘Shisha’ Smoking

Before the rise of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) and the vaping culture, ‘shisha’ or ‘hookah’ was one of the most popular alternatives to smoking cigarettes. 

Many smokers believed that shisha was a less harmful substitute for tobacco because of its pleasant aroma and the social, communal nature of the experience.

However, the truth is that shisha smoking carries many of the same risks as traditional tobacco. 

While it may appear less harmful, shisha still relies on burning coal to heat the tobacco. 

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This process releases dangerous toxins and carcinogens, similar to those found in cigarette smoke, making it just as hazardous.

Keep reading to discover the hidden risks of shisha smoking and the reality behind the misconception that it’s a safer option.

What is Shisha Smoking?

Let’s take a closer look at how shisha smoking works and what’s involved. 

When you indulge in shisha, you’re using a water pipe that’s made up of a few different components: a bowl filled with flavoured tobacco.

This is usually mixed with molasses, a water chamber, a pipe, and a hose for inhaling the smoke. 

The smoke itself is produced by placing heated charcoal on top of the tobacco bowl, which then draws the smoke through the water before it’s inhaled.

Shisha smoking isn’t as straightforward as simply lighting a cigarette. There’s a bit more of a process involved. 

You need to assemble the pipe, prepare the flavoured tobacco blend, and select the right kind of charcoal to heat it all up. 

It’s often seen as a social activity, but despite the ritualistic appeal, it’s important to remember that the smoke produced still contains harmful substances, much like cigarette smoke.

The Dangerous Chemicals Found in Shisha Smoke

Shisha smoke may have a pleasant taste, but don’t be fooled—it’s still harmful smoke that’s dangerous to your health, just like smoking a regular cigarette.

So, what exactly makes shisha just as dangerous as cigarettes? Research shows that shisha smoke contains roughly 4,800 toxic substances, including 69 known carcinogens. 

These carcinogens, much like those in cigarette smoke, greatly increase the risk of developing cancer and various cardiovascular diseases. 

On top of that, shisha emits dangerous particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide—similar to what you’d find in cigarette smoke.

And yes, shisha also contains nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes. This is why people can get hooked on it, using it repeatedly, just like they would with cigarettes.

If you’re thinking of getting a shisha to help quit smoking, think again. Shisha won’t aid your quit journey and can be just as harmful as cigarettes.

Shisha Versus Cigarettes

Many people assume shisha is safer than cigarettes because it tastes good and has no smoke-like flavour. For some people, they believe shisha sessions tend to be safer because they do it less frequently than light up a cigarette – it’s a hassle to assemble and prepare the apparatus. But none of these claims are true.

Shisha sessions can last from more than an hour to a few hours. If we do the math, that means you’re continuously smoking more than 100 cigarettes per session. Longer exposure to toxic substances in shisha smoke, which is similar to cigarette smoke, endangers your health tenfold. In fact, regular shisha smokers are in much more danger than the average pack-a-day smoker.

Vaping Versus Shisha

Nicotine vaping products (NVPs) have become popular in many countries today, including Australia. They also produce a pleasant smell and taste, but unlike shisha, they are not tobacco and do not produce smoke.

But, regarding hazardous chemicals and carcinogens, it’s important to note that illicit NVPs (such as those found illegally in convenience stores and tobacconists) can still contain undisclosed chemicals hazardous to your health.

Alternatively, Most of these chemicals are not found at all in pharmacy vapes. NVP products sold in pharmacies are made under stringent pharmaceutical standards on the manufacturing process and ingredients, are toxicologically assessed for inhalation, are locally insured, and are specifically designed to help you stop smoking.

To learn more about them, here’s a full guide about pharmacy vapes.

Shisha as a Smoking Cessation Tool

Despite its popularity and allure, shisha is not a viable smoking cessation tool. As mentioned, it still contains the same dangerous chemicals as cigarette smoke. In fact, regular use is much more hazardous to your health than a pack of cigarettes every day.

A Healthier You Without Shisha and Cigarettes

Shisha and tobacco are one and the same, one just has much more flavour and personality and can be much more dangerous than the other. Doing away with both is the key to keeping yourself healthy.

It’s understandable that trying to quit smoking isn’t the easiest thing to do. Fortunately, GPs give you the best chance of quitting for good, as they’ve helped many ex-smokers quit successfully before with a plan tailored to their specific needs. They can also provide access to the right tools like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and pharmacy NVPs to help you during your withdrawal phase.

While pharmacy-sourced NVPs are a second-line means after GPs find NRT products ineffective during your withdrawal phase, the latest Cochrane Review found high-certainty evidence that NVPs are more effective than NRT in helping people stop smoking.

Summary

Shisha smoking isn’t a viable alternative to smoking and isn’t healthier by any means. With every shisha session, you’re inhaling the equivalent of 100 cigarettes with the same dangerous chemicals and carcinogens. The only way to be healthy is to quit shisha and kick smoking out of your life.

You’re probably reading this because you’re wondering if shisha is a healthier way to smoke and aid your quit process. We hope this information helped. You can also find much more on this site that has helped quitters to be successful in their journey.

Smokefree Clinic gives you access to many medically reviewed and trustworthy resources that can inform and aid you in your path to wellness, so have a look around! 

If you’re ready to get started, Smokefree can connect you to Australian healthcare professionals who excel in helping patients quit smoking for good.

Link Reference

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9160343
• https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Chemicals,%20Cancer,%20and%20You%20FS.pdf
• https://www.cochrane.org/news/latest-cochrane-review-finds-high-certainty-evidence-nicotine-e-cigarettes-are-more-effective