Dangers of hookah (waterpipe) smoking - Harvard Mental Health Letter..

March 6, 2008 - Dangers of hookah (waterpipe) smoking - Harvard Mental Health Letter.. A new fad among college students and other young people—smoking from a hookah—is raising public health concerns. The centuries-old tradition of smoking from a hookah, or waterpipe, is widely perceived to be less harmful and addictive than smoking cigarettes or other forms of tobacco. Yet a number of studies suggest that hookah smoking may be just as addictive and perhaps even more harmful because of the way people smoke while using a waterpipe. Researchers have found that hookah smokers inhale more often and for longer periods than typical cigarette smokers. Scientists estimate that by puffing longer and in greater volume, a waterpipe smoker inhales the equivalent of 100 cigarettes or more during a single waterpipe session. Some related news brief: Pipe dreams: With more hookah bars popping up, experts warn about the potential dangers of tobacco.. Click on image to enlarge..