Hi there,

My name is Alyssa Harrison and I am writing a news feature for Staffordshire Universities' Staffs Live news site, about Shisha lounges and the effects they have on health.

Staffordshire University brought in a new shisha hire policy at the union bar Monday to Friday, 11am til 5pm. Students can now hire shisha's as long as they have a student card.

I would like to know what are the biggest risks involved with smoking shisha? What are the biggest differences between the effects of tobacco free shisha and the flavoured tobacco used in some places?

Also, what do the risks involve in terms of passive smoking? Are students who choose to smoke shisha in more danger than those who smoke cigarettes?

I am also interested to know what effect shisha has in making people feel relaxed or de-stressed, as I know a few people who have commented on this.

Any professional opinion you can provide me with would be extremely helpful for the piece. If anything I want to make people aware of what they are taking into their bodies. I would also like permission to quote Dr Vinod Joshi if you don't mind, as it is important to get expert opinion on this.

Shisha lounges seem to have become quite popular in Stoke/Staffordshire of late.

Thank you for your time.

Alyssa.

Hello Alyssa

You will find much information at the MCF website page: Smoking Hookah Risks

Best wishes

Vinod

Thank you,

Alyssa.