Health Risks?

Shisha smoking is generally believed to be less damaging to the health than cigarettes, particularly when the smoker does not inhale the smoke into the lungs. Still many would argue that it's certainly not wise to smoke the shisha.

Speculators equate an hour of shisha smoking (the rough time it takes to smoke one) to getting through 50 cigarettes. Realistically though, the filtration process through the water removes much of the tar and nicotine. The shisha tobacco sold in most shisha cafes and shops contains far less tar or nicotine than cigarettes.

Most shisha tobacco has 0.0% Tar and 0.5% nicotine, so it seems to be better than smoking cigarettes.

Research on shisha use to date has generally dealt with people smoking both cigarettes and shisha, or people who have switched from cigarette smoking to shisha use. However one of the first studies published on shisha smoking indicates that shisha's pose the same health risks, such as exposure to carbon dioxide and increased heart rate. The Cancer Facts and Figures of 2004 report that several types of cancer and other health effects have been linked to shisha smoking. All tobacco products contain nicotine, and it is not safe in any amount or form.

Either way, it certainly doesn't add years to your life, but neither do the rigours of modern society!

Some articles that discuss the implications of shisha smoking:

The renaissance of the narguileh

Hubbly not safer than cigarettes

Hookah pipes -- More or less harmful than cigarettes?