Smoking a Nargile is Less Harmful than Cigarettes, but Carries the Same Health Risks, Says Arsen Torosyan

Nargile (also known as hookah or shisha) is a device made of pipes used for smoking specially prepared tobacco that comes in various mixtures and flavors.

Although many users believe that nargile is less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes, nargile smoking carries the same health risks. This was stated by Health Minister Arsen Torosyan on his Facebook page.

In addition to the harms caused by tobacco and smoke, nargile poses dangers from an epidemiological perspective, as it is typically smoked in groups, with the same hose being passed from person to person.

Statistics show that the use of nargile is increasing among young people and students worldwide.

Nargile smoke has other side effects on health.

The charcoal used to burn the tobacco can increase health risks by producing large amounts of carbon dioxide, metals, and cancer-causing chemicals. Even after passing through water, nargile smoke retains high levels of toxic substances.

Nargile tobacco and smoke contain a number of toxic substances known to cause cancers of the lungs, bladder, and oral cavity, as well as arterial blockages and heart disease. The juices used in nargile tobacco are also dangerous, irritating the oral mucosa and increasing the risk of developing oral cavity cancer.

Research also shows that children of women who smoke nargile daily are born with an average weight at least 100 grams less than children of non-smoking women. Additionally, it has been proven that children of nargile smokers are at a higher risk of developing respiratory diseases.

Nargile vs. Cigarettes

While many believe that smoking nargile is less harmful, it carries the same risks as smoking classic cigarettes. Nargile is also a source of nicotine, a highly addictive chemical compound found in all tobacco products.

Since nargile smoke is mixed with the smoke from burning charcoal, it absorbs a greater amount of toxic substances than cigarette smoke. During a typical nargile session, smokers can inhale up to 90,000 milliliters of smoke, whereas smoking a cigarette involves inhaling 500-600 milliliters. Thus, the amount of smoke inhaled during a single nargile session is equivalent to smoking over 100 cigarettes.

Nargile and Secondhand Smoke

Like cigarette smoke, nargile secondhand smoke is harmful to non-smokers. Moreover, it contains not only tobacco smoke but also emissions from the heat source (for example, charcoal).

Tobacco-Free Nargile Products

Marketed tobacco-free nargile products also produce toxic substances that significantly increase the risks of various types of smoking-related cancers, as well as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.