Don’t be fooled – narghile smoking can cloud the brain!

[29 May 2007 - 14h20]
[mis à jour le 29 May 2007 à 14h29]

The French Office for Smoking Prevention (the OFT) and HELP, the European campaign against smoking, have spoken out against the huge increase in the smoking of hookahs, also known as narghiles. This practice appears to be becoming widespread, including among young people in Europe.

A survey conducted among secondary school students in Paris in fact showed that half of those aged 16 had already tried it. And one young 17-year old in three admitted smoking it regularly.

The OFT believes that “hookahs constitute a very underrated danger”. Which is no doubt why 9 out of 10 young narghile smokers have no plans to stop. Whereas, three quarters of cigarette smokers want to quit smoking…

Contrary to the received wisdom, hookah smoke is no less dangerous than cigarette smoke. As the OFT explains, “combustion is gentler (450°C for a hookah compared with 900°C in the case of cigarettes) but less complete”. As a result narghile smoke generates more toxins, at the same time creating a particularly intense source of passive smoking.

Similarly, and although dependence seems to be a little less strong than with cigarettes – tobamel or narghile tobacco consists of only one quarter tobacco and the water stops a large proportion of the nicotine – nicotine levels among narghile smokers are similar to those of light cigarette smokers.

Professor Bertrand Dautzenberg, President of the OFT has expressed his concern. Quite apart from “the dangers” it represents, “narghile consumption often precedes cigarette consumption. It constitutes a point of entry into smoking”, he points out. He believes that “setting up an information campaign aimed at young people is becoming a matter of urgency”. If you want to know more on this subject, a downloadable information leaflet is available at - www.oft-asso.fr

Source : OFT, HELP, May 2007, BEH No. 21- Charb

>> Cet article est aussi disponible en français

© 1996-2012 Destination Santé SAS - All Rights Reserved. No information contained on this server can be reproduced or retransmitted without prior written consent of Destination Santé. Offenders will be prosecuted in consideration of articles L 122-4 and L 335-3 of the Code of Intellectual Property, allowing up to two years' imprisonment and a 150,000 euros fine.