SHISHA OR NARGUILE 'AS HARMFUL AS CIGARETTES'

SMOKING A SHISHA PIPE OR NARGUILE
IS JUST AS BAD AS SMOKING TOBACCO

Boston (DbTechNo) - Results of a new study show that smoking shisha is just as bad for you as lighting up an actual cigarette. This is the finding of the Department of Health and the Tobacco Control Collaborating Centre, who performed a study to determine the risks. Shisha is an Arabic water-pipe in which fruit-scented tobacco is burnt using coal, passed through an ornate water vessel and inhaled through a hose. According to the authors of the study, smoking shisha pipes expose the person to high levels of carbon monoxide, even more than actual cigarettes.

This is ironic in a way because many people think that smoking shisha is actually safer than smoking cigarettes, but people who smoke shisha, or herbal tobacco, can suffer from high carbon monoxide levels, its research revealed. The researchers compared the carbon monoxide blood levels of people who smoked cigarettes against those who smoked shisha pipes. They found that levels were similar among those who smoked the pipes and those reported to be light smokers. “We found one session of smoking shisha - that’s 10 milligrams (of fruit tobacco) for 30 minutes - gave carbon monoxide levels that were at the lowest four and five times higher than having a cigarette,” said study author Dr Wareing. "But at the worst, shisha was 400 to 450 times more dangerous than having a cigarette," she added. High levels of carbon monoxide can lead to brain damage and unconsciousness. The study found shisha smokers had 40-70 ppm of CO in their breath - affecting 8-12% of their blood. Despite all this information, nowadays "Shisha bars", which are typically decked out with low stools and soft cushions to create an inviting atmosphere, have become popular in cities across the UK, particularly in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

There are two things: sreyah and preyah. I have discussed all these thing many times. Preyah means immediately very palatable. That is called preyah. And sreyah means ultimately good. Suppose if you take some palatable foodstuff, it may be very palatable to you... There are many examples. Just like smoking. Smoking. Everyone knows, the scientists, the doctor, they declare, "This is a nonsense thing. It should be avoided." They advertise even in the packet also. But people still smoke. But that is called preyah. That is called preyah. Preyah means immediately very nice. And sreyah means when one gives it up, "No, it will keep my health nice." That is sreyah. Try to understand what is sreyah and preyah.

Srila A.C. BV Swami Prabhupada:
"Lecture on The Srimad-Bhagavatam: 1. 16. 13-15 - Los Angeles, January 10, 1974"