Sirsa gives proof of ill-effects of hookah smoking to NGT

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 17

BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa today submitted evidence to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairman on the disastrous effects of hookah smoking on health and environment.

During a hearing as desired by the NGT for submission of evidence of the ill-effects of hookah smoking, the BJP MLA said that various studies have been carried out across the world in this connection.

He said that hookah smoking directly contributes to environmental pollution. Air quality tests done at seven hookah bars found dangerously high levels of airborne particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nicotine. Hookah causes high levels of indoor pollution than smoking of cigarettes, placing others at increased health risks from the second-hand smoke exposure.

Moreover, the use of charcoal used to heat hookah releases carbon monoxide, metals and other chemicals into the air, he said.

Sirsa said 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 employees at increased health risk from the second-hand smoke exposure.”

He also quoted another report from Dr. Michael Weitzman, a professor at New York University School of Medicine, who said, “Hookah smoking, especially at home, is dangerous to the smoker, children, pregnant women, and all individuals who reside in or visit such homes.”

According to a study of the WHO and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, a hookah smoke contains many of the same harmful toxins such as lung cancer, respiratory illness, low birth weight and periodontal diseases, Sirsa said.