Hookah smoking is a current fad among American young people with new cafes and bars appearing near college campuses every month. However, a report from the American Lung Association indicates that the usual 45-minute hookah smoke is the equivalent of 100 cigarettes.

The smoke from these water pipes also has higher levels of carbon monoxide: 1.4% compared to 0.4% in cigarettes. The flavored tobacco is linked to oral, lung and bladder cancer.

Thomas Carr, national policy manager for the ALA, said that research indicates adolescents who use hookah tobacco are more likely to "graduate" to cigarette smoking.

Labels: fads, smoking, teenagers