Don't Get Hooked on Hookah!

Dear Dapeet,

Thank you for the positive feedback and your question. Occasional Hookah smoking is likely no better than occasional cigarette smoking. I believe the longer sessions associated with Hookah, compared to the 5-10 minute period of smoking one cigarette, suggests more nicotine exposure with the former. For this reason the risk of subsequent addiction following occasional smoking would be higher for Hookah smokers. 

I would strongly encourage family or friends to stop smoking Hookah (as well as any other tobacco forms) completely.

Again Thank You,

J. Thompson, MD

Dear Z. Williams,

Thank you for your comments. I agree with you. Unfortunately this new form of smoking has slipped in under the radar. Too many young people are smoking cigarettes already. Many of us feel that Hookah Bars will markedly increase the number of future cigarette smokers.

Learning more about Hookah smoking will be fundamental to successfully addressing it.

Thanks again,

J. Thompson, MD

Dear Sheila,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Hookah smoking. I would support a law prohibiting minors from tobacco (including Hookah) smoking. We know that such a law is very unlikely in this country.

I don't have to tell you how challenging it is to protect our teenagers and young adults from activities that have long-term health risks.

Good Luck,

J. Thompson

i have been smoking hookahs for 15 years and i love it. i havent noticed any symptoms of respritory problems or any issues with addiction. i believe that smoking this substance should be at the user's own discression and if the person is 18 or older then no one can tell them not to smoke it. its your childs choice let them make it. happy holidays

Hi Ms. Mineri,

The fact you have been smoking for so many years suggests an addiction. You and those who are in their late adolescent years are obviously not doing anything illegal. Doctors and the American Lung Association are trying to alert parents and young people about the health risks associated with hookah smoking.

You have likely already suffered considerable damage to your lungs. No doubt your hookah smoking has been enjoyable but at what price? You see, the human lung is so well constructed that years of smoke damage may go unnoticed until you reach a damage level that cannot be compensated for by intrinsic repairing mechanisms. By time you recognize this it is often too late to recapture most of your lung function. Many cigarette smokers experience the same thing.

For women unfortunately, the rate of decline in lung function after 15-20 years of smoking tends to be worse than men. You should stop smoking Ms. Mineri. It is not a matter of legality or denial of rights, it is purely a matter of avoiding ill health. Just as in cigarette smokers, hookah smoking may not result in perceivable lung problems such as bronchitis, emphysema and lung cancer in every long-term smoker. But why play Russian roulette with a six shooter that contains more than one bullet? Yes, you do have a choice. I hope you make the healthy one from this point.

Best Wishes,

J. Thompson, MD

Dr. Donnell

Thank you for contributing. You make some very good points. The smoking ban law in our state of Illinois has made restaurants and bars safer for breathing. I share your concern about the impact of Hookah smoking on our asthma patients.

We need to learn more about Hookah smoking and associated health risks. This information needs to be passed on to our young people at risk.

Thanks again,

J. Thompson

Hi H.U.,

Thanks for tuning in.

I have not seen any data on the risks of smoking herbal substances. As you already stated, smoking anything is probably not a good thing. I am familiar with soex and I am aware that there are claims that it has no tar or nicotine. My question is: What substances are produced as a result of the combustion of soex?

 I tend to have more fear of the unknown when it comes to potential carcinogens, combustion and inhalation. It is assumed that the lack of nicotine and tar (and I wonder if this is true regarding tar) means it is safer than tobacco. But there is no evidence supporting this assumption. It may be more dangerous based on other ingredients or additives, quantity and duration (in time) of smoking. Who really knows?

Hookah smoking has been enjoyed by many because of the socializing aspect. Perhaps other healthy activities can be considered to replace this one. It starts with the individual thinking and deciding for him or herself, that they do not want to take unnecessary health risks. If you haven't arrived at this point yet, perhaps one day you will.

I appreciate your comments. Please share more in the future.

The Best to You,

J. Thompson, MD