Monday, 10 December 2012

A Look At Hookah

By Hookah Joe


A hookah is a device used in smoking flavorful tobacco, allowing for purification of the smoke by using a water basin before inhalation. The source of hookahs is in the Middle East, where one can still get the best quality hookahs in the world. Hookahs are built in a straightforward method with simple parts.

Components

The end of the body is submerged in a water jar through which the smoke produced by burning tobacco passes. The smoke is stored in an air chamber above the water after it is purified by the water. Another positive side effect of the smoke passing through the water is that it is cooled to a temperature more comfortable for the lungs. On the top left section of the water jar in this diagram is the hose. It is not fully represented here, but the hose normally stretches 1 or more meters. The smoker puffs on the hose and inhales the smoker from the air chamber. After inhaling, the smoker exhales neat and aromatic smoke. Hookahs are generally smoked in group settings where the smokers can enjoy the company of their friends.

What Do You Inhale from a Hookah?

Hookahs are customarily used to smoke flavored tobacco often called "shisha". Modern-day shisha is made up of some or all of the following: tobacco, treacle (uncrystallized syrup produced in refining sugar), honey, sugar, molasses, glycerin, nicotine, dried fruit and distilled water.

Shisha flavors normally have a fruity base for example Apple, Banana, or Mango. But, nowadays many of the well-known manufacturers are testing with off-shoots of these fruity flavors, for instance Peaches 'n Cream, or Banana Split.

The tobacco flavors have become more and more versatile because of the convenience of flavoring during production. Any ingredient can be mixed in dried tobacco during the production to make unique flavors.

The Origin of Hookahs

The very first hookah was created by a Persian physician called Abul-Fath Gilani in the 1500's. The term hookah originates from the indian name of this device "huqqa." He designed a system to pass smoke with a water basin to purify the smoke because he was worried about the health hazards of smoking. However, it is said that even before he invented it, hookah existed in other parts of Persia. After it become popular in Indian it spread all through Pakistan and Turkey. When the hookah reached Turkey, its fame increased in the Turkish elite, and it swiftly spread through Lebanon and Syria to the remaining Middle East and into northern Africa. Now, it has become popular around the world.

As the hookah reached different countries, it gathered different names.

Nargile (also pronounced Argilee) - Generally used in Mediterranean countries

Narguile - used in Spain

Lula (or lulava) - used in Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina

Sheesha - used in Morocco, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia

Qalyan - used in Iran

Karim Khan - used in Russia, Belarus

Chillim - used in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan

Huqqa - used in India and Pakistan

Gudugudaa - used in Maldives

Marra Pipe - used in the UK

Where Can You Purchase A Hookah?

Just like a lot of consumer products in the 21st century, hookahs can be purchased in-person or online. Hookah shops have grown with the rise in popularity of hookah bars across the U.S. since the turn of the century. If your home is in or close to a more populated urban environment or college town, your odds of finding a hookah shop are far better. Hookahs are gaining acceptance in the U.S., but they are not as popular here as in the Persian Gulf.

If you don't want to wander around in search of a hookah, then you a buy one on the web from a number of shops online that provide top quality hookahs and shishas.

Are There Any Health Hazards Associated with Smoking Hookah?

The controversy rages on about whether hookah smoking is less hazardous than smoking cigarettes. People who are in favor of smoking hookah express that the smoke that comes from hookah is cleaner since it is purified through water and that the temperature of the smoke is also mild. Critics claim that hookah includes more harmful toxins in comparison with cigarettes. It contains compounds such as tar, carbonmonoxide and heavy metals. Another factor is that a hookah session can last as long as 60 minutes and sometimes even longer whereas a cigarette goes for only 3-4 minutes. On the other hand, hookah smoking is considered to be less addictive than cigarettes, and many hookah smokers do it on a much more casual or social basis, rather than many cigarette smokers who typically smoke several cigarettes daily.




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