MOST expatriates traditionally engage in social get-togethers with friends and family. Sheesha or hookah is the latest entrant into such gatherings, making its presence felt like never before. This is despite its apparent health hazards on the human body. Sadly, the trend has caught the fancy of many expatriates – young and old, who enjoy smoking hookah at various coffee shops, restaurants, parks, shopping malls and the Corniche in Jeddah. “Most of our customers are expatriates. They like to come here for smoking a sheesha as well as to have a casual chat with their friends,” said Rehman Khan, a Pakistani worker at the Kartaaj Cafe on Arba'een Street in Jeddah. “Sheesha has become very popular in Jeddah. We have people coming in the restaurant for an enjoyable experience of eating, smoking and chatting,” said Mustafa Qadir, manager of a sheesha outlet. Sheesha is a single or multi-stemmed (often glass-based) water pipe for smoking. Originally from India, the hookah has gained immense popularity, especially in the Middle East. Normally, flavored blended tobacco stuffed in the glass bowl is called ma'asil or ‘hubbly-bubbly'. Sheesha is finding most of its takers among youngsters, especially bachelors/single men. Zahid Ghafoor from Pakistan considers sheesha smoking as a perfect way to relax after a busy day. “It was almost five years back that most cafes here introduced a ‘feature facility'- the sheesha. Earlier I was in search of a new place for myself and my friends but couldn't find one as almost all recreational areas are family zones,” he said. Sohaib Ashraf, an Indian student, said he doesn't smoke but likes to accompany friends to places which serve sheesha. “Instead of going to some place far away we prefer spending our time here,” he said. Quick to cash in on the popularity of sheesha were cafés which earlier served only snacks, beverages and cold drinks. Most of these now feature ma'asil on their menus. Different flavors of ma'asil are imported from Egypt, Jordan and Yemen. “Mostly our customers ask for ma'asil, and those who accompany them but don't smoke order soft drinks,” said Khan of the Khartaaj cafe. The composition of the tobacco used in sheesha is variable. It typically weighs 10 to 20g and has three main forms. Ma'asil contains 30 percent tobacco and 70 percent honey. Tumbak or ajami is a pure, dark paste of tobacco. Jurak is an intermediate form that often contains fruits or oils. Sultan Zubair of another ma'asil outlet in Jeddah believes that ma'asil adds a distinct touch to gatherings. “The place is not congested so it is a good way to be with your friends away from any hustle and bustle. The gathering itself has its own flavor,” he said. Scientific studies point out that the health hazards caused by sheesha are similar to those associated with cigarette smoking. Researches show that sheesha particularly has serious health consequences on two vital organs of the body, namely, the lungs and the heart. Lung cancer, cancers of the food pipe, chronic obstructive lung disease, emphysema, low birth weight, precipitation of asthma attacks and pneumonia are some of the perils associated with sheesha smoking. Additionally, infectious diseases can result from the sharing of a sheesha pipe. ‘Sheesha smoking is more dangerous than cigarette smoking due to its fermented and organic compounds, scents and flavors which go directly to the lungs,” said Dr. Abid Moez, nutritionist in the Ministry of Health in Riyadh. Regardless of its risks, some expatriates find it difficult to overcome their indulgence in sheesha. “I have been advised by my elders that sheesha must be smoked only after a consultation with the doctor or a health expert, who they say would suggest the amount of the substance that can be consumed. But I don't bother doing that, everyone else smokes without a prescription,” said Suhail Raza, a 20-year-old Pakistani student, adding that he is a chain smoker. It is believed that youngsters who are hooked on sheesha and consider it glamorous and fashionable are more likely to become regular smokers. – SGCaution Smoke from sheesha contains hundreds of potentially dangerous heavy metals, such as, arsenic, cobalt, chromium and lead. Smoke produced from the amount of ma'asil in a single sheesha pipe contains approx the same amount of nicotine and tar equivalent to 20 cigarettes. Research has shown that after 45 minutes of smoking sheesha, levels of expired air, carbon monoxide, plasma nicotine and the heart rate are significantly elevated. Nicotine dependence may also result from repeated inhalation of tobacco smoke from sheesha. __
