The Dangers of Hookah Smoking with Naomi Krueger

Many students believe that smoking from a hookah to be less hazardous to their health than cigarettes, but the facts just don't back that up. In an effort to educate their peers, students Naomi Krueger and Esther Weitzner produced a video for their Introduction to Public and Community Health that busted many of the myths surrounding hookah smoking with solid stats and reason. They even had time to make the video funny. Watch it here:



For more on this video, the Healthy Turtle talked with Naomi Krueger:

Healthy Turtle: Why did you decide to make a movie about smoking hookah?

Naomi Krueger: I find that hookah smoking is very prevalent among my group of friends, which is why my friend and I decided to make a movie dispelling the myths of hookah. Hookah is looked at as good company in social situations. If we are sitting around watching TV, taking a homework break, getting ready to go out, or just plain hanging out, we find hookah to be a nice addition to the atmosphere. It's fun, it brings people together, relaxes you, and gives you something to do when bored.

HT: What are students’ perceptions of hookah smoke?

Krueger: I found that many of my friends don't even consider the dangerous effects of hookah. Firstly, they think hookah is way less dangerous then cigarettes because it they think the smoke goes through the water so that the nicotine and toxins get "filtered". Secondly, they know hookah is not as portable as cigarettes so they are not worried about getting addicted because it is unrealistic for a person to walk around all day with there hookah and set it up whenever they want to smoke.

Hookah is extremely prevalent in Middle Eastern countries. In these countries main cities there are tons of cafes, restaurants, bars, that offer hookah. Consequently, I have also found that many students who have visited those countries or whose cultural heritage has roots in those countries feel desensitized to the effects of hookah because they see how common hookah smoking is in those countries.

HT: Health wise, how does it compare with cigarettes or cigars?

Krueger: Though there is not an abundance of research out there on the dangers of smoking hookah, enough research has been done to prove that it is not a healthy alternative to cigarettes. Hookah smoke does contain nicotine and carbon monoxide and other hazardous chemicals. The World Health Organization stated that, none of the hookah accessories has been found to reduce smokers' exposure to toxins or risk of tobacco-related disease and death.

Also, at many people don't realize is that when you sit down for a hookah session you are inhaling a large volume of smoke over a long period of time, which exposes you to larger quantities of toxins then smoking a few cigarettes.

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Naomi Krueger is a Junior Public and Community Health major and International Development and Conflict Mamanagement minor. Esther Weitzner is a Junior Psychology and Public and Community Health major.