Shisha (hookah) use grows in Brazil as experts alert to risks

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A recent survey by IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) identified more than 2.5 million shisha (hookah) users in Brazil in 2019.

The number of establishments focused on this public is growing across Brazil. In the city of São Paulo alone, in 2020 and despite the pandemic, more than 1,600 tobacco shops were opened. Moreover, between April and June this year, 65% of nightclubs closed by the Civil Police in São Paulo were in located in tobacco shops, where shisha was the main attraction.

Specialists alert that the attractive aroma leads to greater consumption. And that’s where danger to health lies. Physician Stella Martins from São Paulo’s INCOR compiled the results of worldwide research on the use of the shisha, also known as a hookah, and in Brazil as a “narguilé”.

The work was conducted in partnership between the World Health Organization and the National Cancer Institute.

With its exotic shape, the hookah is a large water pipe that can be used individually or in groups. The first records indicate that it was born in India, in the 18th century. After passing through Persia, it was incorporated into the culture of Arab countries. It reached Europe and, later, the American continent.

Health danger

On top, the charcoal heater burns the tobacco below it. Tobacco burning produces dregs that contains tar. But tobacco – or smoke – contains nicotine, the main substance linked to chemical dependence.

After the puff, the smoke goes down into the water reservoir. The water cools the smoke that rises through the hose into the mouth. When inhaling the smoke, users come into contact with tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide.

According to experts, in one shisha session, smoke consumption is the equivalent to smoking between 100 to 200 cigarettes in one hour.

Source: G1

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