Enjoying a hookah has a very relaxing effect and is part of socialising in many cultures. However, the inhaled smoke from a water pipe is more dangerous than you might think.

 

Glycerine or a similar humectant is often added to the tobacco used in the water pipe to make it smoke nicely. However, inhaling the glycerine vapour can cause irritation of the nasal mucosa and throat as well as changes to the laryngeal tissue. In the long term, this can lead to serious illnesses.

In addition to the danger of humectants, the intensive inhalation of carbon monoxide is just as harmful to health as smoking a cigarette.

Anti-inflammatory herbs such as camomile or sage can be added to the tobacco to reduce irritation, but the water pipe is still unhealthy.