The student news site of Mountlake Terrace High School in Mountlake Terrace, Washington.

The Hawkeye

The student news site of Mountlake Terrace High School in Mountlake Terrace, Washington.

The Hawkeye

The student news site of Mountlake Terrace High School in Mountlake Terrace, Washington.

The Hawkeye

Hawkeye/HSM Fundraisers
Get the App
BUY HAWK PHOTOS
Digital Print Edition
The Hawkeye March 2024 issue
1st Amendment Award School
FAPFA award school

Smoking trends; Hookah becoming a new fad among teens

By Olivia Driscoll

Health Editor

Hookah, considered a safe alternative to smoking other things, is really just as dangerous, if not more, to someone’s health and is a rising new trend that many people, including students from  Mountlake Terrace High School who have and haven’t graduated are now starting to use.

A hookah is a water pipe, originated in India, which consists of a smoke chamber, a bowl, a pipe, and a hose.

The purpose of a hookah is to smoke flavored tobacco, which is one of the reasons it appeals teenagers and young adults. Another reason may be that hookahs are often used in social gatherings.

Not many studies have been conducted regarding the use of hookahs, but the results of one study in California showed that 26 percent of teenagers had tried smoking hookah previously. Eleven percent of the teenagers surveyed said that they had smoked hookah in the previous month.

According to the Center for Disease Control, when multiple persons share the same mouthpiece, it can cause the spread of infectious diseases.

Hookahs are often believed to be safer because the smoke is filtered through the water at the base of the pipe.

When compared to smoking cigarettes, hookah can have just as bad effects on a person’s health.

Story continues below advertisement

There is up to 70 percent more nicotine in hookah as there is in cigarettes.

Christopher Loffredo, Ph. D, Director of the Cancer Genetics and Epidemiology program at the Georgetown University Medical Center tells the ScienceDaily, “People who use these devices don’t realize that they could be believed to the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes in one typical 30- 60 minute session with a water pipe, because such a large quantity of pure. shredded tobacco is used.”

Hookah smoke also contains tar, metals, carbon monoxide and carcinogens, which are cancer causing chemicals.

The average smoking session is about 30 to 60 minutes. One thing to consider is one hour of hookah can equal up to 100 cigarettes.

A reason why teenagers may think it’s acceptable to smoke hookah is there are many hookah bars in the Seattle area, where it is legal to smoke hookah indoors.

If a student is willing to take the risk to their health, there is still the consequence of being caught by the authorities or other personals.

Under federal law, it is illegal for any minor under the age of 18 to be associated with the sale of tobacco related products including the purchase of hookahs and flavored tobacco.

At the school of Mountlake Terrace High School, if any student is caught on campus with illegal substances, such as hookah, the consequence received is an immediate suspension.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover
error: Content is protected !!

Comments (0)

All The Hawkeye Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *