THE TRUTH ABOUT SMOKING HOOKAH

• MYTH #1: The water in the pipe filters out tobacco’s harmful toxins.
  Contrary to popular belief, you are getting the same chemicals as cigarettes, sometimes more. The smoke that emerges from a water pipe contains the same toxins found in cigarettes that are known to cause lung cancer.

• MYTH #2: Smoking tobacco from a Hookah is not addictive.
  Water pipe smoking delivers the addictive drug nicotine. The amount of smoke inhaled during a session of water pipe smoking is equal to 100 or more cigarettes.

• MYTH #3: Fruit added to the tobacco makes it a more healthy and natural alternative.
  Adding fruit flavoring does not change the fact that the tobacco contains harmful chemicals.

Sources: TobReg, Advisory Note, Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking, WHO Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation, World Health Organization, Tobacco Free Initiative, 2005