What Is Shisha?
Shisha (also known as hookah, waterpipe, narghile or hubble bubble) is a waterpipe used to smoke heated tobacco, often mixed with flavourings. The smoke passes through water before being inhaled through a long pipe.
Shisha is often smoked socially and may seem less harmful than cigarettes, but this is not the case at it still contains tobacco and other harmful substances.
Because shisha is smoked over a long period, people often inhale larger volumes of smoke than they would from a single cigarette.
Is Shisha Less Harmful Than Cigarettes?
Many people assume shisha is safer — but this is a myth.
Shisha smoke can contain tar, carbon monoxide and heavy metals such as arsenic and lead. It can also be very addictive because it contains nicotine.
A World Health Organisation study suggests that during one shisha session (around 20-80 minutes), a person can inhale the same amount of smoke as someone smoking 100 or more cigarettes.
People may also be exposed to up to nine times more carbon monoxide and 1.7 times more nicotine than from a single cigarette.
Shisha smoke contains at least 80 toxic chemicals, many of which are linked to cancer and heart disease.
Second-hand shisha smoke can remain in a room for up to five hours, which means other including children and family members, can breathe in the same harmful chemicals, even if windows are open or you smoke in another room.
Even tobacco free shisha still produces harmful toxins due to burning charcoal.
Understanding shisha and health
Short‑term risks
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Reduced lung capacity
Long‑term risks
- Mouth, lung, stomach and oesophageal cancers
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Reduced fertility for men and women
- Reduced lung function and breathing problems such as COPD
Why Quitting Shisha Will Improve Your Health
Stopping shisha use can:
- Improve lung function
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke
- Improve circulation
- Increase your overall quality of life
And it’s never too late to stop.
How to Quit Shisha
The best way to quit is with support from a trained stop smoking advisor.
One You Surrey can help you:
- Get free 1‑to‑1 behavioural support
- Access stop smoking aids like patches and vapes
- Build a personalised quit plan
- Track your progress and stay motivated
You don’t have to do it alone — we’re here to support every step of the journey. Click the yellow ‘get started’ button to start your healthier journey.
