国产人人色I色婷婷综合久久中文字幕雪峰I奇米色777欧美一区二区I久热久热aV爽青青在线I国产av喷水I国产伦精品一区二区三区免.费I高潮av在线Iww欧美一级I91天天看I黄a在线91I九一无码中文字幕久久无码色…I丰满国产精品视频二区

   

WHO warns against water-pipe smoking

(AP)
Updated: 2007-05-30 11:41

GENEVA - Water-pipe smoking may pose the same health risks as cigarettes, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, adding that more scientific research was needed into the link between hookah use and a number of fatal illnesses.

A model poses with a 'hookah', a traditional smoking pipe as she walks the ramp displaying the creations by the NIFT graduating student's fashion show in Calcutta, India, Saturday, May 26, 2007. [AP]

"Using a water pipe to smoke tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarette smoking," the UN health agency said in a seven-page document on the practice. "Contrary to ancient lore and popular belief, the smoke that emerges from a water pipe contains numerous toxicants known to cause lung cancer, heart disease and other diseases."

The WHO "advisory note" warned that using water pipes to consume the tobacco, which is commonly a mixed with molasses and fruit flavors, usually exposes a person to more smoke over a longer period of time than do cigarettes. Preliminary research indicates that hookah smoking poses many of the same dangers as cigarettes and may involve "some unique health risks," the agency said.

A hookah is a bowl connected to a vase of water with a long tube and mouthpiece. The tobacco sits inside the bowl with a layer of foil and a hot coal on top. The tobacco is never lit, instead heated by the charcoal, which smokers say produces a vapor different from smoke.

The hookah, used for centuries in North Africa, the Middle East and Central and South Asia, has become increasingly popular in the United States, Europe and Brazil, particularly among college students and young adults.

WHO says the trend is partly due to "unfounded assumptions" of its safety, and misleading commercial marketing.

The agency said a person can inhale more than 100 times more smoke in a hookah session than in a single cigarette. By delivering nicotine, the water pipe can cause addiction.

"None of the accessories have been demonstrated to reduce smokers' exposure to toxins or risk of tobacco-related disease and death," WHO said.

While further research is required, the health body said those exposed to secondhand hookah smoke appeared to be at risk of the same diseases as those exposed to cigarettes. WHO warned that hookah smoke could also increase the risk of adverse effects during pregnancy.



Top World News  
Today's Top News  
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours