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Hookah smoking contributes to air pollution at alarming level

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Ragini Joshi
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Hookah smoking contributes to air pollution at alarming level
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Demands immediate and complete ban in capital on hookah bars

New Delhi: The Shiromani Akali Dal and Bhartiya Janta Party combine MLA and General Secretary of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Mr. Manjinder Singh today submitted strong and credible evidence to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairman on disastrous effect of hookah smoking on environmental and said that it causes air pollution at alarming level which is highly dangerous for environment as well as for health. During a hearing as desired by NGT for submission of evidence of effects of
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Hookah Smoking on environment, he informed that to determine the effect of smoking Hookah in the environment various studies has been carried out across the world. He said that the Hookah smoking is directly contributing to the environmental pollution. Air quality tests at seven Hookah bars found dangerously high levels of airborne particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nicotine. The water pipe smoking (Hookah) creates high levels of indoor air pollution than cigarettes smoking, placing patrons and employees at increased health risk from second-hand smoke exposure. Hookah smoking Moreover, the use of charcoal used to heat the Hookah releases carbon monoxide, metals and other chemicals into the air pollution. Mr. Patrick Breysse, an environmental sciences professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School found out in his study that “Water pipe smoking creates higher level of indoor air pollution than cigarette smoking, placing patrons and employees at increased health risk from second hand smoke exposure.” Mr. Sirsa also said that the Hookah is terribly dangerous for the smoker, but perhaps more importantly for children, pregnant woman and other non-smokers around. To determine the effect of Hookah smoke on indoor environment the test have been conducted, wherein it has been gathered that with the Hookah smoke, carbon mono oxide levels averages 11 parts per million and the PM2.5 levels was 489 micrograms per cubic meter of air, where in a room there were only four active Hookah smokers.
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Hookah smoking

However, in the non-smoking rooms, carbon monoxide levels averaged 1.5ppm while PM 2.5 levels averaged 93 micrograms. Meaning thereby, the Hookah Smoking pollutes indoor, which subsequently pollutes the air.

Quoting a report commissioned by Birmingham City Council on Dangerous pollution levels in Shisha Bars that he said that both smoking shisha and being exposed to shisha environment smoke have the potential to cause short and long term health effects similar to those associated with tobacco smoke and traffic air pollution. He also quoted another report from lead author Dr. Michael Weitzman, a professor at New York University School of Medicine who did study on Smoking hookah at home pollutes indoor air more than cigarettes and stated in his study “Hookah smoking, especially in the home, has the potential to be profoundly dangerous to the smoker, children, pregnant women, and all individuals who reside in or visit such homes,”. Hookah smoking

Mr. Sirsa briefed the Chairman that Hookah is among alternative tobacco products like chewing tobacco whose use has been on the rise in the U.S., especially among young people.

There is wide spread misconception that hookah is safer alternative to cigarettes. Hookah is a water pipe that is used to smoke specially made tobacco that is usually flavored. During one Hookah smoking session, a smoker can inhale the equivalent of the smoke from 150 cigarettes. According to study of World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a hookah smoke contains many of the same harmful toxins such as lung cancer, respiratory illness, low birth weight and periodontal diseases. A Hookah smoking session exposes the smoker to more smoke over a longer period of time. Also due to the method of smoking including frequency of puffing, depth of inhalation and length of smoking Hookah smokers absorb higher concentration of toxins. He further informed that smoking affects not only the smoker’s heath; it also greatly influences the surrounding atmosphere. All Hookah smokers think that by smoking they are only damaging their health. In fact, Hookah smoke indirectly affects others health.

Strongly advocating ban on hookah bars in National Capital Mr. Sirsa said that Government of Gujarat has completely banned Hookah smoking in Gujarat since its more hazarodous to environment and very harmful for non-smokers.

Further, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have also stopped issuing license to restaurants to provide Hookah. He said that in light of these circumstances the Hon’ble Bench may be pleased to take cognizance of the situation and pass appropriate orders for banning the usage of Hookah in Delhi to curtail the pollution levels caused due to Hookah Smoke. —PTC News-
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