“Chicha” or “hookah”. This water pipe is a hit all over the world. For several years, its consumption has become increasingly common, especially among young people. However, it is not without risk and can lead to addiction. Alice Deschenau, head of the addictions department at the Paul Guiraud hospital, sheds light on the dangers of this practice which has become a social phenomenon.
– Why doctor: According to a report by the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Tendencies (OFDT), the year 2021 was marked by an increase in the volumes of products containing shisha tobacco. Among young people, the exclusive consumption of hookah has stabilized and seems to enjoy a more positive image than cigarettes. But why is there this misperception that shisha is less harmful?
Alice Deschenau: Smoking shisha is a form of tobacco addiction. This water pipe, which attracts more and more people with its friendly appearance, is more commonplace than the cigarette, yet it is the same product. The hookah has less bad press, because the tabamel, namely a mixture of tobacco and flavored molasses, is sweet and fragrant. Clearly, the latter passes through the water of the shisha, which makes the smoke moist, sweet and less aggressive in contact with the mucous membranes. When inhaled it is less unpleasant in terms of sensation, but the content is the same.
Shisha: “A session is like smoking a pack of cigarettes”
Is smoking shisha more dangerous than using cigarettes?
Shisha is as harmful as cigarettes because it is tobacco. A hookah session is like smoking a pack of cigarettes. In addition, the use of this water pipe increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning because the chicha is consumed in enclosed spaces. Result: the smoke stagnates in the air. This passive smoking weighs on what smokers inhale.
Due to the positive tobacco perception of the hookah, some consumers are unaware that they may be addicted to it. But how is a shisha addiction characterized?
Indeed, shisha tobacco has a real addictive effect, because it contains nicotine, namely a very active substance. An addiction is characterized by the fact of consuming more product to feel its effects and “cravings”, that is to say the irrepressible urge to smoke to be relieved. Other elements marking the addiction: the loss of control and the fact of spending more money or devoting more time to smoking chicha to the detriment of other activities. Although this consumption has consequences on social life and health, addicts do not succeed in reducing or quitting smoking.
“6.2% of 9th graders say they are shisha smokers”
Hookah addiction: what is the patient profile?
In general, it is a young public, which made its first experiments during adolescence. According to the OFDT, half of 17-year-olds say they have already smoked shisha in 2017. In 2021, another of its reports indicates that 6.2% of 9th graders say they are shisha smokers. In the same year, shisha consumption levels were higher among boys (23% versus 16.9% among girls).
What are the causes of this addiction?
Experiments with friends and girlfriends can lead to addiction. The social and family environment can also contribute to the development of addiction, for example if there are hookahs at home.
Mental health: shisha promotes a depressed mood
What are the health consequences?
Smoking shisha carries the same risks associated with smoking. Clearly, hookah consumption increases cardiovascular risks (myocardial infarction, stroke, hypertension, etc.), respiratory (asthma, allergies, etc.) and causes the occurrence of cancers (lung, bladder, breast, throat, esophagus, etc.). We must also not forget the impact of tobacco on mental health. This product generates stress, anxiety and promotes a depressed mood.
How is shisha addiction diagnosed?
This addiction is detected by a health professional. In France, some schemes allow young people to take stock of their consumption. This is the case of young consumer consultations (CJC), whose objective is to welcome young users to possibly offer them help before their consumption becomes problematic.
Hookah: “Maintain your equipment well to avoid the accumulation of substances”
Chicha: how to fight against this addiction?
In the context of a chicha addiction, smoking cessation varies according to the consumers and their use of the hookah. To overcome this addiction, they can turn to nicotine substitutes, such as patches, sprays, lozenges or gums. The use of electronic cigarettes can also be considered. Currently, two drugs can also help to quit smoking. In case of hookah addiction, it is also necessary to do behavioral work, for example asking questions about the place of shisha during moments with friends.
How can we limit the risks associated with the consumption of shisha?
The ideal is to smoke shisha outdoors. If tobacco is consumed in an enclosed space, the room should be ventilated during and after the session. Another tip: stop smoking as soon as symptoms, such as headaches, appear. It is also recommended to limit the sessions and to maintain your equipment well to avoid the accumulation of substances in the containers.