Waterpipe (Nargila) Smoking – Myth vs. Reality article and picture

They say that it’s a harmless hobby – less harmful than cigarettes; that it is non-addictive and safe even for pregnant women.  All of these myths are false.  The nargila is no less of a health danger than cigarettes – sometimes even more so.

The Nargila is now considered a normative social activity, in particular among teens.  A recent Israeli survey found that 33.3 percent of Israeli youth have experimented with nargila smoking vs. 20.1 percent who have tried cigarettes.

Many consider nargila smoking a safe hobby, But, what do we really know about nargila smoking?  Reality check – Here is some important myth shattering information regarding nargila smoke.

Myth: Fruit flavored nargila is tobacco free.

Fact:  A Nargila is a water-pipe used to smoke flavored tobacco.  Sample flavors include apple, mint, cherry.  Because of the fruity flavors, many youth mistakenly think that this nargila smoke is tobacco-free.

Status of Myth: Shattered  – Nargila smoke contains tobacco

Myth: Tobacco smoked via nargila has less negative health effects than tobacco smoked as cigarettes

Fact: Nargila smokers absorb three times more nicotine than cigarette smokers.  Total toxins absorbed via nargila smoke are ten times higher than the amount of toxins absorbed via cigarette smoke.  We assume that these results are because of the extended duration of the “smoke”, which in the case of nargila smoking can last between 30 minutes to hours.  In addition, Nargila tobacco is not controlled by the Ministry of Health.  Manufacture statements regarding contents are not reliable and often written in a language unknown to user.

Status of Myth: Shattered – Nargila smoke is three times more harmful than cigarette smoke

Myth:  Smoking nargila is not addictive

Fact: Tobacco is Tobacco.  The Tobacco inhaled via nargila similar to that inhaled via cigarettes contains nicotine – a natural substance found in tobacco stems and leaves.  Nicotine is highly addictive

Status of Myth: Shattered – Nargila smoke is addictive

Myth: Pregnant women may smoke nargila

Fact:  Women exposed to active (first-hand) or passive (second-hand) nargila smoke gave birth to children with lower birth-weight and increased respiratory disorders than babies born to women unexposed to nargila smoke.  Low birth weight can be a negative influence on a child’s health and developmental  status.

Status of Myth: Shattered – Nargila smoke detrimental to the health of the fetus

So what does Nargila smoke contain?  Tobacco and nargila smoke contain a “cocktail” of poisonous and carcinogenic substances that we would never bring into our home.  Here is a partial list of elements inhaled via nargila smoke:

• Tar – Toxic and carcinogenic – Commonly used as a sealer in construction, sea vessels and roads
• Benzopyrene -A known carcinogen, especially for lung and skin cancers. It can also undermine human fertility.
• Cyanide and arsenic – dangerous toxins
• Carbon Monoxide – a poisonous gas. It has no smell or taste. The body finds it hard to differentiate carbon monoxide from oxygen and absorbs it into the bloodstream. In high quantities,  it can cause you can go into a coma and may even be lethal.
• Naphthalene – toxin – used in mothballs
• Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) – toxic insecticide
• Lead
• Turpentine
• Acetone and more

Nargila Smoke Health Impact  

Nargila leads to an Increased risk of:

• cancer – lung, bladder, gums, lips and more
• respiratory diseases
• underweight newborns
• infectious diseases such as flu, herpes, hepatitis and pneumonia because of unsanitary sharing of pipe
• elevated blood pressure and pulse rate

And, there are other negative health effects as a result of nargila smoke:

• impaired physical fitness and sexual dysfunction
• premature skin aging

In case you need more convincing – In a recent study conducted in Southern Israel, to examine driver alertness, it was found that drivers who had inhaled nargila smoke prior to their journey were less alert.  They had elevated levels of carbon monoxide in their blood – a factor that increases disorientation and reduces alertness.  Following inhalation of Narghila tobacco, drivers were found to have an accident risk rate 33% higher than non-smokers.

Point to Ponder: Passive Nargila smokers are at higher risk of disease than passive cigarette smokers because of the added effect of charcoal compounded with tobacco consumption.

Bottom Line – Nargila smoke is as dangerous as other types of smoke – in some cases it is even more dangerous.  It is not a healthy alternative to cigarette smoke. We must shatter the conception that a nargila smoke is acceptable!