The dangers of shisha

Not a safe alternative to cigarettes and potentially just as harmful

Research has revealed that one shisha-smoking* session can result in carbon monoxide (CO) levels at least four to five times higher than the amount produced by a cigarette. High levels of carbon monoxide can lead to unconsciousness and brain damage. Measuring carbon monoxide in exhaled breath showed a normal non-smoker’s level to be three parts CO per million parts of air (ppm) (less than 1% of blood not working properly), a light smoker to have 10–20 ppm (2–4% of blood not working properly), and a heavy smoker 30–40 ppm (5–7%). The study found shisha smokers had 40–70 ppm of CO in their breath – affecting 8–12% of their blood.

Dr Hilary Wareing, the director of the Tobacco Control Collaborating Centre, said that she was shocked by the results of the research. She warned that ‘none of the tests we did showed anything other than shisha is hazardous to health’. Paul Hooper, regional manager at the Department of Health, said that the research pointed to shisha becoming a ‘major issue’, particularly as many regard it ‘as not even smoking’.

* A water-pipe containing fruit-scented tobacco, burnt using coal and inhaled through the nose.

Sources: The MedGuru, 28 April 2010 and BBC News Online, 24 August 2009.

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