THE use of “shisha” also known as hookah or water pipe is rapidly increasing in the major cities of Pakistan. Unfortunately most people who use shisha are not aware of its harmful effects. Most restaurant owners tell their customers that it is merely flavoured smoke and that there is no tobacco in it.
Recently, however, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report on the health consequences of shisha use and it has proved to be an eye-opener. A commonly held belief is that shisha is harmless because the smoke first passes through water before it is inhaled. Shisha smoking sessions last for 20-80 minutes, during which the smoker may take anywhere between 50 and 200 puffs. The shisha smoker may therefore inhale as much smoke during one session as a cigarette smoker would inhale consuming 100 or more cigarettes. Even after it has passed through water, the smoke produced by a shisha contains a high level of toxins, including carbon monoxide, heavy metals and other carcinogens.
A similar hazard is posed to other people who are not directly using shisha by means of passive smoking. It is indeed sad that in spite of an ordinance in place which bans smoking in public places many restaurants offer shisha to their customers. Tobacco used in these water pipes is often sweetened and flavoured, making it very appealing to children and teenagers. A survey done on youngsters of school-going age in Karachi recently showed that almost 70 per cent had tried shisha in the past six months, and this included children as young as seven.
Many of the commercially available packets which are used for shisha smoking have misleading labels such as 0.5 per cent nicotine and zero tar. WHO in its report has strongly recommended that healthcare professionals educate the public about the potential dangers of shisha use. Moreover, the sharing of shisha between people poses an additional risk of TB and hepatitis transmission.
I would urge the ministry of health not only to ban shisha use in the restaurants but also to take other practical steps for the full implementation of the “Prohibition of smoking ordinance 2002” in the country. In particular the federal cabinet should ensure that nobody is allowed to smoke in a cabinet meeting. Recently, a newspaper picture of two federal ministers smoking during a cabinet meeting gave a disgraceful picture of the level of tobacco control in Pakistan. Our country needs healthy ministers who are role models for everyone else not people puffing away in a closed meeting.
PROFESSOR JAVAID KHAN
Consultant chest physician
Aga Khan University Karachi
People share the same mouthpieces (think about how germy they must be), and that is a prime way to get TB, as well as hepatitis, as well as mouth sores, herpes, colds, etc.
Moderation is the key. You could die of lung cancer if you eat barbequed food everyday (think of all the carbon deposits on your food). A sitting of sheesha once in two-three weeks will not kill you.
my dada smoked the hardcore tobacco (unprocessed) burnt on dried cow dung daily... pretty much all his life. he lived till 105. i think u will be ok if u do it once every few weeks.
our hard working women of punjab use their hands to process cow waste. they use their hands when they handle cow waste and paste them on walls... kinda like u make a roti. once the dung is dried.. its used to make food, to heat water and ofcourse for huqqa.
so before u make fun of it my abcd friend visit a pind in our beautiful punjab for a lesson in recycling.
dunno whats happening on saturday man .. i'm on edge of getting promoted.. and being released from old department, but time is running out for taking control of my new department.. most likely i will be working over weekend regarding getting trained or training somebody..
i have a … umm… lets say a scar there that i dont want u guys to see ..