Health Department Warns of Multiple Health Hazards

Tri-County Health Department is warning of numerous health risks associated with the use of hookah pipes. Hookahs are water pipes that deliver flavored tobacco through a flexible hose to a mouthpiece, and the hose is passed from person-to-person.
Hookah smoking has been popular in the Middle East for centuries but has recently become trendy among young people in the U.S.

"Tri-County Health Department is against using any form of tobacco—including hookahs—since all tobacco products carry risks of nicotine addiction, cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses,” states Richard L. Vogt, MD, Executive Director of Tri-County Health Department. “We are trying to help parents educate their children about the numerous risks associated with hookahs.”

“We had a situation that clearly illustrates these risks. A local high school student was recently hospitalized with bacterial meningitis, and he had shared a hookah with friends a few days prior,” states Vogt. “Bacterial meningitis is a very serious illness, and it can be fatal. Fortunately, this student was released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.”

“Bacterial meningitis can be spread in saliva, and there was a clear risk to others since they shared a mouthpiece with their friend who was unknowingly already infected with meningitis,” said Vogt. “The parents of the teenagers involved were contacted, and all of the teenagers were given antibiotics to prevent any further spread of the bacteria.”

“In addition to the medical issues, we are also concerned that some patrons of hookah bars may be underage, and that is illegal,” adds Vogt. A person must be at least 18 years old to use any form of tobacco, including a hookah.

Despite Colorado’s statewide ban on tobacco use in public places, some hookah bars are able to operate legally in Colorado when classified as a “cigar bar.”

A recent health advisory from the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that hookah smoking poses a serious hazard to users, as well as exposing others to secondhand smoke. Contrary to popular belief, the smoke from a hookah contains the same chemicals as smoke from cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products.

The WHO estimates that during a typical one-hour hookah session an individual will inhale 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke that is normally inhaled with a single cigarette.

For more information on tobacco cessation or hookahs, visit www.tchd.org/tobacco.html.