In a world where epidemics strike right and left, one in particular has stood out and come to NJNS Inc’s attention. This epidemic — water pipe smoking — is commonly known as hookah around the United States, but is also known as argileh, goza, hubblebubble, and shisha (Knishkowy, Amitai). This epidemic has taken over college students by storm and has also specifically impacted different cultural groups from which it originated. The common misconceptions associated with water-pipe smoking have led to many detrimental effects on users’ health and longevity. 

A mixture of tobacco, water, and flavoring is smoked from an apparatus composed of a head, metal body, glass bottle, and a connecting tube with a mouthpiece (Knishkowy, Amitai). Due to the “sweet, aromatic, and fruity quality of hookah smoke” many young adults “believe it is less harmful than hot, acrid cigarette smoke” (Quenqua). In actuality, the risks of water pipe smoking are just as detrimental as cigarette smoking, if not more. 

The common misconceptions have made water pipe smoking a seemingly harmless social activity. Because it is commonly used for socializing, smoking in groups is not out of the ordinary. However, when the mouthpiece is passed around, communicable diseases may also be passed along. 

Evidently, there are many unfavorable effects that accompany water-pipe smoking and a need to raise awareness to these effects. 

Though there is a lot more research to be done on this topic, it is decidedly an issue worth confronting as a resolution for NJNS. Thus the board has supported the commencement of a resolution in regards to water-pipe smoking. We invite you to look for this resolution in the future.  

Knishkowy, B., and Yona Amitai. "Water-Pipe (Narghile) Smoking: An Emerging Health Risk Behavior." Pediatrics 116.1 (2005): E113-119. Print.

Quenqua, Douglas. "Putting a Crimp in the Hookah." New York Times 31 May 2011, A1 sec. Print.

Stephanie Huang
Resolutions Director