My boyfriend smokes shisha quite often, probably once every other day or so, and it's a big social thing among him and his friends. He tells me it's fine, and perfectly harmless because the stuff he mostly uses is tobacco, tar and nicotine free. I've been trying to verify this by searching the internet and while there's plenty on shisha in general, there's practically nothing on the affects of tobacco free stuff. Does this mean it actually is harmless?

Also, when he's not using tobacco free shisha he's using stuff that's something like 0.5-1% tobacco. Is that low? Or just about average for shisha?

And is there anything known on the affects of shisha smoke as second hand smoke? As while I don't do it myself it's inevitable I'm going to be around when they're smoking it.

Hello Kemma

While using tobacco-free herbs with a shisha is safer (not as bad as smoking tobacco), the biggest hazard for hookah users is that it produces greater levels of carbon monoxide. So smoking too much or in an enclosed area can be unhealthy. Since taking anything other than clean air into your lungs cannot possibly be good for the body, I would not advise it. Same for the second-hand smoke. Shisha smoking cannot be harmless; there is a risk and it is is avoidable. Tell your friend to be sensible, it is an unnecessary risk and habit - there are safer pleasures in life.

Best wishes
Vinod

hey dr.vinod
actually i hav a few frnds of mine that have hukkah.. they ask me to have ..they explained me wht amount of tobacco is inhaled by the body n all..
i read on the box of the flavours.. thr it ws written .04% of tobacco.. i really wana know is it safe to have hukkah rarely..or occasionally..
i did a nice research on it online.. but i m still confused...
we wil be goin to this clucb like after a week.. n all of thm smoke hukkah...so m an odd one out.. i wud most preferably go for any other outdoor activities..
bt still not to be out of d group.. i wana know should i try it... fr jus d sake of my friends.. n how frequent shud i take in..
see i dont wana do all dis fr the sake of my frinds.. if its harmful i wont even touch it..

i also want to know tht if we sit around people who smoke hukkah..is it safe... ???
thanki you.. hope u reply as soon as possible

Hello arva

It is not natural for smoke of any kind to enter your lungs, so why put your body at risk?

Tell your friends that it is a personal health decision or that you have an allergy to any tobacco!

Keep well, no one except yourself can care for yourself more.

Best wishes
Vinod

THANKS A LOT DOCTOR FOR THE QUICK REPLY.... REGARDS

Hello

i would like to know if its really unhealthy to smoke shisha, also the pros & cons of smoking shisha tobacco molasses and tobacco free ones

I would a really apriciate a reply as soon as posible

Hola,

There are pros and cons on most subjects, shisha among them. Here's a bunch of replies to your question on ask.com. Be sure to look at the listing on the right under Related Searches.

Shisha

C'mon! You know it's not healthy to smoke anything regardless whether it's better or worse than cigarette smoking. If you keep checking, eventually you'll find someone somewhere who will tell you what you want to hear. Consider the source.

Good luck to you - this is something you can easily live without.

Mimi

Hello Inai

My advice: Be Sensible!

You can find more information at: SMOKING HOOKAH (Shisha) RISKS

Best wishes
Vinod