This study shows that the effects of flavoured hookah are just as harmful as cigarettes
| Updated: Aug 6, 2018, 12:47 IST
The debate on whether cigarette smoking or hookah is more harmful for health has been on for years now. And it comes as no surprise that the youth, who do not engage in smoking engage in hookah most times than not. They also tend to believe that hookah is 'healthy' and not all that bad for health. Well, we have news for all of you'll who believe just that!
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have found that smoking hookah for 30 minutes resulted in the development of cardiovascular risk factors similar to that of cigarette smoking, thus implying that hookah is as bad as smoking a cigarette. It was found that a single session of hookah smoking increased heart rate by 16 beats per minute and blood pressure; and significantly increased measures of arterial stiffness, a key risk factor in the development of cardiovascular conditions such as a heart attack or even a stroke.
“Our findings challenge the concept that fruit-flavoured hookah tobacco smoking is a healthier tobacco alternative. It is not,” said Mary Rezk-Hanna, a lead researcher. “We know that flavoured tobacco products are frequently the first kind of tobacco product used by youth,” Rezk-Hanna said. “One of the major issues with hookah is the fact that the tobacco is flavoured with fruit, candy and alcohol flavours, making hookah the most popular flavoured tobacco product among this audience,” she added. Stiffening of arteries and the aorta are important signs of progression of hypertension, which raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have found that smoking hookah for 30 minutes resulted in the development of cardiovascular risk factors similar to that of cigarette smoking, thus implying that hookah is as bad as smoking a cigarette. It was found that a single session of hookah smoking increased heart rate by 16 beats per minute and blood pressure; and significantly increased measures of arterial stiffness, a key risk factor in the development of cardiovascular conditions such as a heart attack or even a stroke.
“Our findings challenge the concept that fruit-flavoured hookah tobacco smoking is a healthier tobacco alternative. It is not,” said Mary Rezk-Hanna, a lead researcher. “We know that flavoured tobacco products are frequently the first kind of tobacco product used by youth,” Rezk-Hanna said. “One of the major issues with hookah is the fact that the tobacco is flavoured with fruit, candy and alcohol flavours, making hookah the most popular flavoured tobacco product among this audience,” she added. Stiffening of arteries and the aorta are important signs of progression of hypertension, which raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.