Hookah also known as waterpipe, single or multi-stemmed instrument for smoking flavored tobacco, has been identified to be affecting lungs and thus respiratory system in the similar way like that by smoking cigarette.

A recent study has challenged the beliefs of many users and even several physicians who prefer waterpipe smoking over cigarettes, believing that the filters in the hookah hold the toxic elements of tobacco, thus releasing fumes, which are less hazardous.

The study researchers, led by Mohammad Hossein Boskabady of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, differentiated between the working of the lungs and respiratory system of those, who smoked hookah, those who smoked cigarettes, deep or normal inhalation, and non-smokers.

The study analyzed 51 of those who smoked hookah or bong smoking, 30 deep inhalation cigarette smokers (S-DI), and 51 normal inhalation cigarette smokers (S-NI). Also, 44 participants were studied who were non-smokers.

Spirometer was used to carry out the lung function tests. Moreover, the participants were asked a few questions to administer the seriousness of the condition.

Boskabady said, “Results showed an increased prevalence and severity of respiratory symptoms among water pipe smokers and cigarette smokers. Similar effects of water pipe smoking and deep inhalation cigarette smoking on respiratory status were found”. Thus, health consequences to be faced due to waterpipe smoking are similar to cigarette smoking.