Hookahs and e-cigarettes are often played down. But are they really less unhealthy than normal tipping? Doctors have now compared the health effects of all three for the first time.
How do cigarettes, e-cigarettes and shisha work?
For this purpose, scientists from the University Medical Center Mainz, under the cardiologist Prof. Thomas Münzel, evaluated several existing smoking studies. The subject of the study was how the different types of smoke act on cells in the blood vessels (endothelium), which chemicals are released when smoking and which diseases can arise BR24.
The results:
► Compared to non-smokers, cigarettes increase the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), probably by 704 percent, very likely by shisha (water pipes) by 218 percent, and by e-cigarettes, probably by 194 percent.
► Cigarettes are also likely to increase the risk of developing lung cancer by 1210 percent and hookahs by 122 percent. The study situation for e-cigarettes was not sufficient to make reliable statements.
► Smoking is also thought to be the cause of artery blockage, which can result in heart problems and strokes. Compared to non-smokers, the risk of cigarette smokers increased by 10 percent with a medium probability, 9 percent with hookah consumption and 7 percent with e-cigarettes.
What chemicals are in it?
Nicotine is mostly found in all three Rauch products, but e-cigarettes are sometimes used without the addictive substance. The smoke of the electric version also contains cell-damaging formaldehyde and acrolein (acrylic aldehyde) as well as traces of so-called transition metals (nickel, cobalt, chromium, lead) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Since both classic tobacco cigarettes and hookahs burn tobacco, similar toxic compounds are produced. The most important are nitrosamines (TSNAs) and aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These two groups of compounds are known carcinogens and have been associated with many other complications.
Studies on the composition of shisha smoke also show that it contains high levels of carbon monoxide, benzene, nicotine and tar. Primary aromatic amines (PAAs), humectants such as glycerin and 1,2-propanediol and carbonyls were also found.
Can smoking aggravate a corona infection?
Like the World Health Organization (WHO), the Mainz researchers also say that smoking cigarettes and hookahs can aggravate the symptoms of Covid 19 disease. “This includes: coming to an intensive care unit, having to be artificially ventilated and having serious health problems.”
Shisha, cigarette, e-cigarette – which is more dangerous now?
Taken together, according to the Mainz physicians, there is no doubt that tobacco cigarette smoke has serious cardiovascular side effects.
► According to the study, it looks as if e-cigarette vapor is less toxic than tobacco smoke. But: In a previous study, the Mainz researchers were already investigating the health effects of e-cigarettes and found that acrolein from e-cigarette vapor leads to harmful effects in blood vessels, including those in the lungs and brain, via NOX-2 activation.
Organ damage is very likely if e-cigarettes are used continuously. Due to the lower concentration of pollutants in the steam, they are certainly less harmful than normal cigarettes, but have increasingly proven to be an entry-level drug for future smokers, emphasized cardiologist Prof. Thomas Münzel.
► And: smoking water pipes is just as harmful as normal cigarette consumption and can therefore not be regarded as a healthy alternative. Shisha smoke also has significant cardiovascular side effects.
According to the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), every tobacco smoke is a poisonous mixture, whether from a cigarette or a hookah. Even if it is very difficult to compare the two: a hookah is filled with 5 to 10 g tobacco, a cigarette contains only about 0.7 g tobacco. A cigarette is pulled about eight times, a hookah between 100 and 200 times. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) found that people who smoke hookahs every day have about as much nicotine breakdown products in their bodies as someone who has smoked ten cigarettes.
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