What is shisha made of

A World Health Organisation study has suggested that a one hour session of smoking shisha can be the same as smoking or more cigarettes. Even shisha products which do not contain tobacco must comply with the smoke-free law because it applies to any lit, smoked product. Head back to the Choices for Life campaign page. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

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International Journal of Dermatology ;—10 [accessed Mar 18]. Nuwayhid, I, Yamout, B. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, [accessed Jan 29]. Shihadeh A. Investigation of mainstream smoke aerosol of the argileh water pipe. Food and Chemical Toxicology ;41 1 —52 [accessed Feb 10]. World Health Organization. Tobacco Regulation Advisory Note. Tobacco Control Mar 24 [accessed Feb 10].

Drug and Alcohol Dependence external icon ; 1—3 —9 [accessed Mar 18]. Researchers in New York City compared respiratory breathing health in hookah smokers compared to nonsmokers. They found that young people who smoked from a hookah only sometimes had several lung changes, including more coughing and sputum, and signs of inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs.

In other words, even occasional hookah smoking can cause health effects. Like cigarettes, hookahs also give off harmful secondhand smoke. The same study mentioned above tested the urine of hookah smokers and found that they had some of the same chemicals as cigarette smokers.

Researchers also found other harmful chemicals, like carbon monoxide. A study tested 61 people, including 49 men and 12 women, immediately after hookah smoking in London cafes. Researchers found that hookah smokers had levels of carbon monoxide that were about three times higher than those of cigarette smokers. Carbon monoxide can lower how much oxygen your body absorbs.

This is because it can bond to your red blood cells times stronger than oxygen. Breathing in too much carbon monoxide is harmful, and it might raise your risk of heart disease and other illness. The researchers also found that study participants had higher blood pressure after hookah smoking. Over time, hookah smoking may cause chronic high blood pressure , which can also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Hookah smokers typically share one hookah in a group. Smoking from the same mouthpiece can cause infections to spread from person to person. A review notes that hookah smoking may also be linked to some cancers. Tobacco smoke has more than 4, different chemicals, and more than 69 of these are known to be cancer-causing chemicals. That review also highlights research in Saudi Arabia that found that hookah smokers had lower levels of antioxidants and vitamin C than nonsmokers.

These healthy nutrients may help prevent cancer.