The dangers of hubbly bubbly: 'It is more deadly than we are made to believe'
Water pipe smoking is an increasingly prevalent social habit.
Hubbly bubbly | Picture: Pixabay
Gugs Mhlungu spoke to GP and CEO of Proactive Health Solutions, Dr Fundile Nyati.
Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.
It's less harmful, is not addictive, and smoke from hookah contains few toxins.
These are just some of the myths when it comes to smoking a water wipe (also known as hookahs, hubbly bubbly, narghiles, shisha and goza).
This smoking trend has become an extremely popular social habit, especially among young people.
"The use of hubbly is a growing global problem."
- Dr Fundile Nyati, GP and Proactive Health Solutions CEO
A hookah is an instrument for smoking tobacco, which is often flavoured.
Many people believe that this type of smoking is less harmful than cigarette smoking.
According to Nyati, this is not true.
He says the World Health Organisation (WHO) has found no evidence to show that it is a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes.
"If anything, it is worse than cigarette smoking."
- Dr Fundile Nyati, GP and Proactive Health Solutions CEO
The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has warned that smoking
hubbly bubbly increases your risk of getting cancer.
According to CANSA's website: "Water pipe smokers, and second-hand smokers exposed to them, are at risk of the same kinds of diseases that are caused by cigarette smoking, including cancer, heart and respiratory diseases, as well as adverse effects during pregnancy."
"Some of the agents in the hookah are known to cause cancer in the lung, mouth, oesophagus and also the bladder."
- Dr Fundile Nyati, GP and Proactive Health Solutions CEO
"The dangers are actually much more deadly than we are made to believe. The fallacy that this is a healthier option is something that needs to be highlighted."
- Dr Fundile Nyati, GP and Proactive Health Solutions CEO