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SHISHA is herbal tobacco which is smoked through a water pipe, also known as a ‘hookah’ pipe.An average smoking session will see 15 milligrams of fruit tobacco smoked for 30 minutes.
It is a shared experience where one or more pipes can stem from the shisha pipe.
Shisha bars are popular with Arab, Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities who see it as a social hub and central to their culture.
It is mainly smoked after dinner with guests or at a cafe. The tobacco flavour’s come from across the world and can range from melon to cappuccino.
Flavoured tobacco or herbal fruit pulp fills the clay pot, is covered with pin-pricked foil, then heated by coal Shisha is often seen as a safer, more acceptable form of smoking.
But there are concerns that it is far more dangerous than cigarettes. Research by the Department of Health and the Tobacco Control Collaborating Centre found dangerous levels of carbon monoxide with shisha.
According to the center, the carbon monoxide levels from shisha can be up to 450 times higher than filtered cigarettes.
High levels of carbon monoxide can lead to brain damage and unconsciousness.
Kuala Lumpur health department deputy head Dr Sellehudin Abu Bakar said Shisha was tobacco mixed with molasses and fruit flavours and tobacco product in any form contained nicotine.
He said all tobacco products were equally dangerous as it contained more than 3,500 chemicals of which 200 were toxic and 43 were carcinogenic.
“It is difficult to compare which product is more dangerous.
“It depends on several factors such as frequency of use, how deep the inhalation or if other ingredients are added besides tobacco itself,” said Dr Sellehudin.
He added that Shisha smoking was also addictive as it contained nicotine from tobacco smoke.
“Shisha smoking can lead to physical addiction and can also create psychological and habitual dependence to the user.
“The water filter is a gimmick. Most of the toxic chemicals and nicotine are not water-soluble. Hence, they pass through the filter and is inhaled by a smoker, although other irritant substances, which are water-soluble, will get filtered.”
A R Sher
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