Also known as Arghileh, Nargile, Shisha pipe and many more names. This device is used to smoke tobacco (called shisha or mossaal), by filtering the smoke down thru water and a hose. It can be traced back to origins in India. Originally used to smoke opium and other materials, down thru the ages it made a transformation into a tobacco pipe, where it is used in various cultures across the world today.

Hookah smoking is rapidly picking up popularity as a social activity among younger circles, especially colleges in North America, Canada and the UK. Many people believe various myths that hookah smoking is supposed to be better for your health than typically cigarette use, but in truth there are little to no scientific studies that can prove or disprove these myths. One thing to remember is that it still is smoking tobacco – a foreign substance. It’s not supposed to be in the body, so even if the method is different, it’s not “pure and healthy” as many myths state.

But used in moderation, it is an enjoyable past time that can be shared among friends. Due to it’s “old connotations”, many in the public see the device as something related to “drug use” – IT IS NOT! True Hookah Enthusiasts should education anybody who believes this and show them, if not offer them the opportunity to use one. The public view is changing, but the progress is slow and backbreaking, especially in this modern age where many places have new smoking bans and laws.