Dr. Siegel Highlights the Possible Harmful Effects of Hookah Smoking
A new study highlights the fact that more and more teenagers are trying out hookah smoking at a time when cigarette use is declining among minors.
The study in the journal Pediatrics found that one in five high school seniors say they've tried hookah and another study from Nursing Research points out that most teen hookah smokers are under the false impression that there are no health risks involved.
Dr. Marc Siegel stopped by America's Newsroom this morning to outline the possible harmful effects of smoking the flavored tobacco, called sheesha. He noted that hookah smoking has become a social event and some bars and restaurants offer hookahs for patrons to share at their table.
The Pediatrics study stated that hookah smoking is increasing in popularity among teens in higher socioeconomic classes.
Siegel said it's a "myth as old as the hookah" to think that the water at the bottom somehow filters the tobacco. He said the charcoal, which is placed at the top to burn the tobacco, "adds more carcinogens [and] there is more tar and nicotine than in a filtered cigarette."
He outlined increasing evidence about hookah use being linked to lung and oral cancers, heart disease, and low birth weight in infants. Another risk comes in the form of infectious disease if users are sharing the same mouthpiece with others.
Watch his full analysis above.