The hookah/shisha/narghile/water-pipe for those who don't know, is a method of smoking using flavoured tobacco and a water pipe. This practise is very common throughout the Middle East and is increasingly becoming popular amongst populations outside the Middle East.
As part of the culture, the act of smoking the hookah has been going on for centuries. To my understanding, it originated from Turkey and spread to the Middle Eastern countries during the Ottoman expansion. It therefore has important cultural, anthropological and historical aspects to the habit.
Similarly to smoking, it has become a 'fashionable' habit and is commonly considered as a part of everyday social events. The scenarios often seen are young smokers starting to smoke the hookah at a very young age and continuing throughout their lives. Some studies claim that hookah smoking is not 'as bad' as cigarette smoking. However, it is these health behaviours and attitudes that I think are dangerous.
