Flavored water pipes, or hookahs, are becoming popular among the youth over the past few years. Some people think that hookahs are less dangerous or Global-Hookah contain more nicotine than traditional cigarettes, which is highly disputed. Should we explore the capability of hookahs to contain nicotine and its ramifications on health?

Specifications and Operating Principles of Hookahs

A hookah is a water smoking apparatus made out of pipe, smoke chamber, mouthpiece, and a bowl wherein the tobacco is heated with a charcoal and then inhaled after undergoing filtration through water. Alot of users are especially attracted to tobacco because it is traditionally flavored. As users on hookah forums discuss, in stark contrast to the short duration of tobacco smoking, hookah sessions on average last for about 45 to 60 minutes.

Do hookahs contain nicotine?

The answer is yes. All tobacco products contain corrosive substances; therefore, tobacco nicotine is also of no exception. As per the CDC report, the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention states that hookahs do hold nicotine and you can be exposed to a typical session of hookah for 100-200 cigarettes worth of tobacco in addition with the perceived levels of nicotine estimation potentially 1.7 times higher than that of cigarette smoking.

Cigarette tobacco is llke hookah tobacco in that they both contain nicotine, tar, and heavy metals. The American Lung Association Against Hookah states that hookah users may be subjected to greater amounts of nicotine than cigarettes.

It is estimated that the concentration of nicotine in hookah tobacco is between 0.26% to 0.5%, lower than the 0.95% found in cigarettes. A source called Mozeshisha states that an average of 0.26% of nicotine can be found in hookah tobacco. Many users on forumns have disscused claiming the jars hailing 0.5% on the label is true but the actual nicotine content varies greatly depending on duration, inhalation, and technique.

Although, due to the length of hookah sessions, more tobacco is inevitably consumed. Healthline states that one hookah session can deliver 2.5 more times nicotine than one cigarette. Smoke Free Colorado explains how 100 cigarettes worth of nicotine can be delivered in one hour long session of hookah.