In recent years, vaping and shisha (also known as hookah) have gained immense popularity, especially among young adults and teenagers.
Marketed as safer alternatives to traditional cigarette smoking, these trendy habits are now being viewed more critically by health experts. Both vaping and shisha are far from harmless—and, in fact, may pose risks that rival or even exceed those of cigarettes.
Myth of “Safe Smoking”
One of the most widespread misconceptions is that passing smoke through water in shisha filters out harmful substances. Similarly, many believe that inhaling vapour from an e-cigarette is less damaging than inhaling tobacco smoke.
However, these alternative forms of smoking deliver a cocktail of harmful chemicals that can severely damage the lungs, heart, and other organs over time.
What Happens During Vaping?
Vaping involves inhaling an aerosol produced by heating a liquid—typically containing nicotine, flavourings, and other chemicals—through a handheld device like an e-cigarette or vape pen.
This mist is drawn into the lungs, where toxic substances such as diacetyl (linked to lung disease), formaldehyde (a carcinogen), and heavy metals like nickel and lead can cause inflammation and long-term damage.
Some of the key health concerns related to vaping include:
- Lung injury and inflammation
Inhaled particles from e-cigarettes can cause irritation and swelling in the lungs, potentially leading to long-term conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis, or a condition known as "popcorn lung" - bronchiolitis obliterans.
- Nicotine addiction
Despite some vape products being labelled as “nicotine-free,” many still contain trace amounts of nicotine—a substance highly addictive, especially among teens. Addiction to nicotine can lead to dependency and increases the risk of switching to traditional cigarettes.
- EVALI (E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury)
A serious and potentially fatal condition, EVALI causes symptoms like coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, requires hospitalization or ventilation support.
- Brain development and behavioural risks
In adolescents, nicotine exposure affects memory, concentration, learning ability, and can increase susceptibility to other substance abuse.
- Unknown long-term risks
Vaping is relatively new, and its long-term effects are still being studied. But initial findings are alarming enough to raise red flags for widespread use.
Reality of Shisha Smoking
Shisha has a long cultural history, originating in India and spreading globally, often viewed as a social and recreational activity. However, the idea that hookah smoking is less dangerous is rooted in myths. The water does not purify the smoke—it merely cools it, making it easier to inhale deeper and longer.
Each shisha session can last 45 minutes to an hour, during which users may inhale the equivalent of 100 or more cigarettes’ worth of smoke. That’s a massive dose of carbon monoxide, tar, and heavy metals.
Health risks of shisha smoking include:
- Lung and heart damage
Shisha users experience a rapid rise in heart rate, blood pressure, and carbon monoxide levels, which strain the cardiovascular system. Studies show hookah smoke contains carcinogens and toxic compounds capable of causing lung cancer, COPD, and heart disease.
- Spread of infectious diseases
Shisha is often smoked in groups with shared mouthpieces. This practice significantly increases the risk of transmitting diseases like tuberculosis, herpes, and hepatitis.
- Reduced heart rate variability
This is a predictor of heart conditions. Shisha smokers have been found to experience a drop in heart rate variability, signaling increased risk of coronary artery disease.
- Endothelial dysfunction
Long-term shisha use can lead to inflammation in the blood vessel lining, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Appeal vs Risk
Why do people continue to vape or smoke shisha despite the risks? Factors include social trends, peer influence, flavored options, and the perception of these habits as “cool” or “harmless.”
Many young people believe vaping or shisha smoking is safer than cigarettes. However, vaping and shisha are not safe—they can harm your lungs and heart, just like regular smoking.
Many people start vaping to quit cigarettes. But they continue to inhale harmful chemicals and remain addicted to nicotine. Instead of helping them quit, vaping often makes the problem worse.
The particles a person inhales while vaping or smoking shisha can cause inflammation (swelling) and irritation in the lungs. This can lead to lung damage, such as scarring and narrowing of the airways.
What Needs to Change?
Public awareness is the first step. There is a pressing need for educational campaigns that clearly explain the dangers of both vaping and hookah use. Schools, parents, and healthcare providers must take a proactive role in debunking myths and promoting tobacco-free lifestyles.
Policy-level changes are also essential—such as stricter regulations on marketing flavoured e-cigarettes to youth, labelling transparency, and better enforcement of age restrictions for sales.
Vaping and shisha are not safe alternatives to smoking. They carry their own set of serious health risks, many of which are still being discovered.
What might appear trendy or harmless now can have life-altering consequences down the line. It’s time to challenge the myths of “safe smoking” and prioritize informed choices and public health over momentary indulgence.
