You are currently viewing Sheesha-Smoking Causes Cancer: Study
HOOKAH 1024x630

Sheesha-Smoking Causes Cancer: Study

AIMAN INAM

 

KARACHI: Sheesha-smoking has grown enormously, these last many years, to become a trend of our society. It is tremendously popular, particularly among youngsters here.

Sheesha is available in almost every nook and corner of the Metropolis, in different flavors such as apple, mint, cherry, chocolate, coconut, cappuccino, watermelon etc. 

But do you know according to latest research, investigators here have discovered that smoking a hookah can be more injurious in comparison to cigarettes as it could wreak the risk of having tumor?

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sheesha smoking for about an hour absorbs 200 puffs, whilst smoking a cigarette involves 20 puffs. 

In this context, Cardiologist Amar Singhal held: “In fact second-hand smoke from hookahs can also be a health risk for non-smokers. It contains smoke from the tobacco as well as smoke from the heat source used in the hookah. Since hookah involves inhaling a large amount of smoke in a short span of time, the damage done to the lungs is high and can cause wheezing, meningitis and acute bronchitis.”

He further added: “Over a period of time, it can develop into cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, lead to low birth weight, lung, esophageal and pancreatic cancer. Sadly, not many hookah smokers understand the implications as many think hookah is not as harmful as cigarette.”

As per the estimates of the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco kills more than five million people globally per annum. In addition, the ratio is expected to augment up to 8.4 million if we cannot get over the circumstances.

Oral tumor, lung melanoma, stomach cancer, esophagus tumor, decreased lung function and reduced fertility are some of the ailments sheesha smokers can come out with if they will not put a stop on their habit.

Some of the most widespread warning signs of smoking sheesha include upper body twinge while inhaling and changing color of sputum.

One of the researchers further lamented: “Though a person starts with hookah occasionally, but with time they become addicted to it. The scary part about hookah smoking is its effects on pregnant women, who may not be aware that they are inhaling tobacco. This puts the baby in danger and the child may be born prematurely, underweight, or have breathing trouble.”

He ended up by saying, “Compared to a single cigarette, hookah smoke contains higher levels of arsenic, lead, and nickel. It produces 36 times more tar and 15 times more carbon monoxide than cigarettes, as smoking a hookah requires longer and harder drags”.

f

M M Alam

M. M. Alam is a Pakistan-based working journalist since 1981. Karachi University faculty gold medalist Alam began his career four decades ago by writing for Dawn, Pakistan’s highest circulating English daily. He has worked for region’s leading publications, global aviation periodicals including Rotors (of USA) and vetted New York Times as permanent employee of daily Express Tribune. Alam regularly covers international aviation and defense-related events including Salon Du Bourget (France), Farnborough (United Kingdom), Dubai (UAE). Alam has reported thousands of events and interviewed hundreds of people in Pakistan, UAE, EU, UK and USA. Being Francophone Alam also coordinates with a number of French publications.