A new UCLA study recently published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that only half an hour of Hookah smoking resulted in the development of cardiovascular risk factors, similar to a health problem caused by traditional cigarette smoking. A direct contradiction to the marketing effects claiming that hookah (water pipe) is less hazardous than a cigarette.
Research conducted by UCLA measured heart rate, blood pressure, arterial stiffness, blood nicotine and exhaled carbon monoxide levels in 48 young and healthy Hookah smokers before and after 30 minutes of Hookah smoking. The results of the study showed that a single session of Hookah smoking increased heart rate (by 16 beats per minute) and blood pressure, and significantly increased measures of arterial stiffness, a key risk factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack or stroke.
ALSO READ
Research Proves Alcohol, Pig Meat & Bacon Can Cause Cancer
“Our findings challenge the concept that fruit-flavored hookah tobacco smoking is a healthier tobacco alternative. It is not,” said Mary Rezk-Hanna, an assistant professor at the UCLA School of Nursing and lead author of the study.
He further added:
We know that flavored tobacco products are frequently the first kind of tobacco product used by youth. One of the major issues with hookah is the fact that the tobacco is flavored with fruit, candy and alcohol flavors, making hookah the most popular flavored tobacco product among this audience.
Results are particularly more alarming because of the measured lower time limit of hookah (30 min), while a hookah session typically lasts for several hours. Previous studies indicated that cigars, e-cigarette, smokeless tobacco, and cigarettes produce a similar rate of arterial stiffening which is now also seen Hookah smoking, according to the study.
Via: UCLA
Stop Smoking, Start Vaping…