As with cigarette smoking, hookah smoking is linked to lung and oral cancers, heart disease, and other serious illnesses. Hookah smoking delivers about the same amount of nicotine as cigarette smoking, possibly leading to tobacco dependence. Hookah smoke poses dangers associated with secondhand smoke.

Is hookah worse than cigarettes?

Hookah smoke that you inhale can contain 36 times more tar than cigarette smoke, 15 times the carbon monoxide, and 70% more nicotine than one cigarette. Hookah smokers may absorb more toxins and cancer-causing chemicals than cigarette smokers.

Is it OK to smoke hookah occasionally?

Most of the hookah tobacco does not display any a health warning, leading to the misperception that it is not harmful. Hookah smoking may seem like it's not dangerous because it may only be done occasionally. It also may be perceived as not addictive or less harmful than smoking cigarettes, Bhatnagar told Healthline.