Abstract

GENERAL REVIEW ON WATERPIPE (NARGHILE)

Dr. Yousser Mohammad*, Dr. MHD Ismael Zakaria, Dr. Bisher Sawaf, Hiba Alwan Salman and Boushra Nazer Shabraq

Abstract

Waterpipe (hookah, narghile, Shisha) tobacco smoking (WTS) is becoming prevalent worldwide and is one of the most popular forms of tobacco use among youth. WTS prevalence has increased dramatically among young adults and adolescents in the developed countries within the previous years, due to Lots of misconceptions as less dangerous on health and less addictive than cigarette smoking. But in reality WTS is associated with addiction, and bad health consequences such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, bronchitis, and asthma. Much of this implication is due to the fact that a single WTS session make the smoker vulnerable to large volumes of smoke that contain toxic chemicals such as carbon monoxide, cancer – causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and volatile aldehydes. WTS causes spreading of infectious diseases such as hepatitis, herpes and tuberculosis. In addition to the direct risks of active WTS on health of the smokers, Its effects on the health of passive smokers are alarming. Recently there are reports discussing spreading rates and explaining causes of resurgence of this phenomena in both developed and developing countries. The purpose of this review is to describe a water pipe, the component intoxicants found in WTS, the health effects of WTS on active and passive smokers. And to advocate for regulations to include WTS, stressing on that electronic Hookah (e-Hookah, or e-shisha) is not safe, and to explore WTS cessation methods.

Keywords: Waterpipe tobacco smoking, youth, prevalence and correlates, smoke toxicants, health effects, passive smoking.