Do you really understand Hookah?

Hookahs

• Overview
• Compared with Cigarettes
• Health Effects
• References
• For Further Information

Overview

• Hookahs are water pipes that are used to smoke specially made tobacco that comes in different flavors, such as apple, mint, cherry, chocolate, coconut, licorice, cappuccino, and watermelon.1,2

• Although many users think it is less harmful, hookah smoking has many of the same health risks as cigarette smoking.1,2
• Hookah is also called narghile, argileh, shisha, hubble-bubble, and goza.1,2
• Hookahs vary in size, shape, and style.2
• A typical modern hookah has a head (with holes in the bottom), a metal body, a water bowl, and a flexible hose with a mouthpiece.3,4
• Hookah smoking is typically done in groups, with the same mouthpiece passed from person to person.1,2,3,4

Tobacco users should quit all tobacco products to reduce health risks.

Hookah smoking is NOT a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes.1

Hookah Use

• Hookah use began centuries ago in ancient Persia and India.1,2,3,4
• Today, hookah cafés are gaining in popularity around the world, including Britain, France, Russia, the Middle East, and the United States.1
• Hookah use by youth1,2,3 and college students is increasing.5
• In 2010, the Monitoring the Future survey found that among high school seniors in the United States, about 1 in 5 boys (17%) and 1 in 6 girls (15%) had used a hookah in the past year.5
• Other small studies of young adults have found high prevalence of hookah use among college students in the United States. These studies show past-year use ranging from 22% to 40%.5
• New forms of electronic hookah smoking, including steam stones and hookah pens, have been introduced.
  • These products are battery powered and turn liquid containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals into a vapor, which is inhaled.6
  • Very little information is currently available on the health risks of electronic tobacco products.6

Health Effects

Using a hookah to smoke tobacco poses serious health risks to smokers and others exposed to the smoke from the hookah.

Hookah Smoke and Cancer

• The charcoal used to heat the tobacco can raise health risks by producing high levels of carbon monoxide, metals, and cancer-causing chemicals.1,4
• Even after it has passed through water, the smoke from a hookah has high levels of these toxic agents.4
• Hookah tobacco and smoke contain several toxic agents known to cause lung, bladder, and oral cancers.1,4
• Tobacco juices from hookahs irritate the mouth and increase the risk of developing oral cancers.4,7

Other Health Effects of Hookah Smoke

• Hookah tobacco and smoke contain many toxic agents that can cause clogged arteries and heart disease.1,4
• Infections may be passed to other smokers by sharing a hookah.2
• Babies born to women who smoked water pipes every day while pregnant weigh less at birth (at least 3½ ounces less) than babies born to nonsmokers.5,8
• Babies born to hookah smokers are also at increased risk for respiratory diseases.8

Hookah Smoking Compared With Cigarette Smoking

• While many hookah smokers may think this practice is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, hookah smoking has many of the same health risks as cigarette smoking.1,2
  • Water pipe smoking delivers nicotine—the same highly addictive drug found in other tobacco products.2
  • The tobacco in hookahs is burned (exposed to high heat) and the smoke is at least as toxic as cigarette smoke.1,2
• Because of the way a hookah is used, smokers may absorb more of the toxic substances also found in cigarette smoke than cigarette smokers do.1,2
  • An hour-long hookah smoking session involves 200 puffs, while smoking an average cigarette involves 20 puffs.1,2
  • The amount of smoke inhaled during a typical hookah session is about 90,000 milliliters (ml), compared with 500–600 ml inhaled when smoking a cigarette.4
• Hookah smokers may be at risk for some of the same diseases as cigarette smokers. These include:3,4
  • Oral cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Cancer of the esophagus
  • Reduced lung function
  • Decreased fertility

• Hookahs and Secondhand Smoke

  • Secondhand smoke from hookahs can be a health risk for nonsmokers. It contains smoke from the tobacco as well as smoke from the heat source (e.g., charcoal) used in the hookah.1,5,9

  Nontobacco Hookah Products

  • Some sweetened and flavored nontobacco products are sold for use in a hookah.10
  • Labels and ads for these products often claim that users can enjoy the same taste without the harmful effects of tobacco.10
  • Studies of tobacco-based shisha and “herbal” shisha show that smoke from both preparations contain carbon monoxide and other toxic agents known to increase the risks for smoking-related cancers, heart disease, and lung disease.10,11

  References

  1. American Lung Association. An Emerging Deadly Trend: Waterpipe Tobacco Use . [PDF–222 KB] Washington: American Lung Association, 2007 [accessed 2013 Dec 17].
  2. American Lung Association. Hookah Smoking: A Growing Threat to Public Health Issue Brief. . [PDF–1.34 MB] Smokefree Communities Project, 2011 [accessed 2013 Dec 17].
  3. Akl EA, Gaddam S, Gunukula SK, Honeine R, Jaoude PA, Irani J. The Effects of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking on Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Epidemiology 2010;39:834–57 [accessed 2013 Dec 17].
  4. Cobb CO, Ward KD, Maziak W, Shihadeh AL, Eissenberg T. Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking: An Emerging Health Crisis in the United States. American Journal of Health Behavior 2010;34(3):275–85 [accessed 2013 Dec 17].
  5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health, 2012 [accessed 2013 Dec 17].
  6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Electronic Cigarettes (e-Cigarettes) [last updated 2013 April 25; accessed 2013 Dec 17].
  7. El-Hakim Ibrahim E, Uthman Mirghani AE. Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Keratoacanthoma of the Lower Lips Associated with "Goza" and "Shisha" Smoking. International Journal of Dermatology 1999;38:108–10 [cited 2013 Dec 17].
  8. Nuwayhid, I, Yamout, B., Ghassan, and Kambria, M. Narghile (Hubble-Bubble) Smoking, Low Birth Weight and Other Pregnancy Outcomes . American Journal of Epidemiology 1998;148:375–83 [accessed 2013 Dec 17].
  9. Cobb CO, Vansickel AR, Blank MD, Jentink K, Travers MJ, Eissenberg T. Indoor Air Quality in Virginia Waterpipe Cafés. Tobacco Control 2012 Mar 24 doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2011-050350 [cited 2013 Dec 17].
  10. Shihadeh A, Salman R, Eissenberg T. Does Switching to a Tobacco-Free Waterpipe Product Reduce Toxicant Intake? A Crossover Study Comparing CO, NO, PAH, Volatile Aldehydes, Tar and Nicotine Yields. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2012;50(5):1494–8 [accessed 2013 Dec 17].
  11. Blank MD, Cobb CO, Kilgalen B, Austin J, Weaver MF, Shihadeh A, Eissenberg T. Acute Effects of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Control Study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 2011;116(1–3):102–9 [cited 2013 Dec 17].

  For Further Information

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
  Office on Smoking and Health
  E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
  Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO
  Media Inquiries: Contact CDC's Office on Smoking and Health press line at 770-488-5493.

The 5 Healthiest Winter Fruits and Vegetables

by Keri Gans, R.D.N.

It seems every year when winter approaches, many of my patients complain, "There just aren't as many fruits and veggies available." I, of course, beg to differ. Yes, the farmers markets and supermarkets aren't booming with an assortment of colorful berries (at least tasty and inexpensive ones), tomatoes, or corn, but they still have plenty of healthy options. These five are delicious and provide the greatest nutrition bang for your caloric buck. You just might miss them come summer.




1. Beets: The problem with beets is that many people avoid them because they think they are high in sugar. However, that really isn't so: One raw beet has 5.5 grams for 35 calories. Plus they are a good source of magnesium and calcium (both important for bone health), iron (which you need for energy and to prevent and hair loss), fiber (to help to fill you up), and folic acid (necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells in our bodies, and especially important for pregnant woman). Beets are especially important during the winter because they have a unique source of phytonutrients, called betalains, which provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support to help keep your immune system strong.



2. Brussels sprouts: A member of the cabbage family, Brussels sprouts have seen a recent rise in popularity, and that's a good thing. (I wonder what took everyone so long-I love them!) They are an excellent source of bone-strengthening vitamin K and may give you a glow thanks to the vitamin C, which supports collagen production and products against free radicals. A cup also provides 15 percent of your daily iron and 13 percent of your recommended fiber.






3. Cauliflower: Ever since we were told to load our plates with color, white foods have been getting a bad rap. Cauliflower doesn't deserve it. It is an excellent source of folic acid and vitamins C and K, and also contains lots of iron, fiber, potassium for efficient muscle function, and B vitamins, which play a role in everything from hair growth to red blood cell creation to carrying oxygen and nutrients to cells of our body.



4. Clementines: I know the winter season is upon us when I see the boxes of clementines, a cross between a mandarin and an orange, in the supermarket. So easy to peel, they make the easiest grab-and-go citrus fruit this time of year. Besides being a excellent source of vitamin C, they also contain calcium and potassium, and are a great low calorie fruit: a serving of two clementines is only 80 calories.



5. Pears: I think pears are an overlooked fruit, with so many more people grabbing apples at this time of year. One of the highest-fiber fruits, a medium pear offers about 6 grams, which can help with blood sugar control and promote weight loss. An excellent source of vitamins C and K, pears are also packed with B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and manganese.

Happy Holidays! BeHealthConscious Organization Inc.

Go Fund Me

5K Run & 1 Mile Fun Walk 8/24/13

GET MOVING THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 24TH WITH THE 5K RUN & 1 MILE FUN WALK FOR GOOD HEALTH   Please join us in walking and running towards good health sponsored by of our community partner First Congregational Church, this Saturday, August 24th.  The Registration fee is $20.00 for adults and $10 for youth 16 and under.  The Registration, snacks and "Celebrity Warm Up" with Kymberli Campbell beginningat 8:00 AM!   All activities begin at First Congregational Church 105 Courtlandt Street, NE,  Atlanta, GA  30302   To register or for more information contact  Bette Graves Thomas or Walter Mitchell at 404.659.6255

3rd Annual Let's Move! DeKalb Expo

FREE BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES - THIS SATURDAY! 3RD ANNUAL LET'S MOVE! DEKALB EXPO - JULY 27TH!    Plan to join us for the 3rd Annual Let's Move! DeKalb Expo this Saturday, July 27th  at Exchange Park Center in Decatur, Georgia from 10 am to 3 pm.   There will be fitness fun, heath tips and games for all ages.      Best of all there will be FREE Back to School supplies!    The Expo is presented by:          Here's the list of Expo Exhibitors and Partners: American Diabetes Association    Love Youth Fitness Amerigroup     Made A Way Cutz Atlanta Braves    Mercer College of Pharmacy Atlanta Hawks    Nike Better Health Atlanta Regional Commission    Peach State Health Plan Coca Cola Foundation    Prince Martial Arts Commissioner Larry Johnson    Renee's Wacky Hair Cooking Matters    Ryan Cameron Foundation Decatur Housing Authority    Sam's Club DeKalb Department of Health    Simply Pure Foods DeKalb Junior Service League    State Farm DeKalb Right from the Start Medicaid    Sons of Phoenix East Lake YMCA    S.U.D.I.A. Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson Co.    Swagger Crew Fit Kidz Georgia School Nutrition Association    Team Blue Tennis Georgia SHAPE    Young Chefs Academy Keyes In The Kitchen    Young at Heart Wellness Kids & Teens Primary Healthcare    We Can!     Click the image below to see a video from our event last year. 2012 - 2nd Annual Let's Move! DeKalb Expo with C.H.O.I.C.E.S. Please help us send children back to school with the supplies they need.  Our goal is to have book bags, backpacks, and school supplies for at least 500 children.    A donation of  $10 can fill a backpack with school supplies. A donation of $25 provides a child with a backpack and school supplies!    Click Here To Make A Donation    Unable to donate? Be an event volunteer!  We still need help at the nutrition exhibits, physical activities, Tastes of C.H.O.I.C.ES. and health education exhibits.     Click Here To Volunteer     Visit our website: www.ChoicesforKids.org to learn more Got questions? Send an email to Chaz Chapman at: CChapman@ChoicesForKids.org

#ihatecancer t-shirts Available

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