Secondhand smoke from hookah is the smoke that is exhaled by the smoker and the smoke that is produced by the burning charcoal. It contains the same harmful chemicals as cigarette smoke, including tar, carbon monoxide, and lead. These chemicals can increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and lung disease in people who are exposed to them.
Secondhand smoke from hookah can be even more harmful than secondhand smoke from cigarettes because hookah sessions typically last longer and involve more smoke being inhaled. Additionally, the charcoal used to heat the tobacco in a hookah can produce high levels of carbon monoxide, which can be especially dangerous for people with heart disease or asthma.
If you are concerned about secondhand smoke from hookah, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:
- Avoid smoking hookah in enclosed spaces. If you must smoke hookah, do it outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Ask the smoker to blow the smoke away from you.
- Use a face mask to filter out the smoke.
If you are a smoker, there are also things you can do to reduce the amount of secondhand smoke that others are exposed to:
- Smoke outside or in a well-ventilated area.
- Blow the smoke away from others.
- Use a hookah that has a water filter, which can help to remove some of the harmful chemicals from the smoke.
It is important to remember that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. Even brief exposure can be harmful. If you are concerned about secondhand smoke from hookah, talk to your doctor.